Republicans were hailing state Rep. Laura Devlin of Fairfield on Monday night as the party’s lieutenant governor candidate.

Devlin is perhaps best known for traveling around the state to strongly oppose the controversial plan for electronic highway tolls by Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont that was rejected by the legislature. She held numerous town hall meetings and forums with state Sen. Henri Martin of Bristol as they are both ranking members of the legislature’s transportation committee.

The official announcement is expected Tuesday in Devlin’s hometown of Fairfield.

Senate Republican Leader Kevin Kelly said that Devlin was the right choice for Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Stefanowski of Madison.

“Laura is a fierce advocate for working- and middle-class families,” Kelly said. “She is incredibly hardworking, intelligent, and passionate about public service and making Connecticut a better and stronger place for all. Across our state, Laura is known for her years of work fighting for a stronger economy and transportation system without taking more out of taxpayers’ wallets with new taxes or tolls.’'

Kelly added, “Families in Laura’s home district know her for her commitment to education, good government, and protecting our environment. It has been an honor to serve alongside Laura in the legislature. All of Connecticut would be well served with Laura helping lead our state and standing up for the voices of Connecticut families.”

While other candidates could run for lieutenant governor at the state party convention in May, Republicans have rallied around Stefanowski as the gubernatorial candidate after former House Republican leader Themis Klarides decided to run for U.S. Senate against Democratic incumbent Richard Blumenthal. Many Republicans have decided to accept Stefanowski’s choice as running mate in order to avoid the multi-candidate primaries for both governor and lieutenant governor in 2018.

Deputy Senate Republican leader Paul Formica of East Lyme had similar sentiments as Kelly.

“Laura has been an outstanding leader in the Republican Party and as a state representative for the 134th district in the General Assembly for nearly eight years,’' Formica said. “I’m thrilled to see that Bob Stefanowski has asked Laura to join him to bring new leadership to Connecticut this November.”