Norwich ― First-term Democratic incumbent Derell Wilson will face Republican challenger Nicholas Casiano for the 46th state House of Representatives seat that covers urban and southern portions of Norwich.

The candidates were endorsed unanimously by their respective town committees this week.

Wilson, 32, a building-wide substitute teacher at the Integrated Day Charter School in Norwich, will complete his first term in the legislature this fall after having served on the Norwich City Council. Supporters Thursday called Wilson a stellar freshman legislator, who has helped bring millions of dollars to Norwich to support jobs, housing and youth services.

“It is a great honor to receive your re-election nomination to continue to serve this district that I have lived in my entire life,” Wilson said Thursday. “I understand. And we’re going to do the work that we need to do to continue to grow this district, to continue to make the city of Norwich better, and most importantly, I look forward to continuing to fight for the city of Norwich at the state Capitol.”

Casiano, 40, ran unsuccessfully for City Council on the Libertarian ticket in 2017. Republican Alderman William Nash, who nominated him Wednesday, recalled being impressed by his council campaign and hoped he would win a seat.

Casiano described himself as a fiscal conservative and vowed to bring his message directly to voters in district neighborhoods. Casiano attributed the state’s problems to “the hubris” of the majority Democratic Party rule, with what he described as top-down control of the economy and social engineering.

“We’ve had one-party rule for 10 to 15 years, and that has led to a lot of the issues we face,” Casiano said.