Devin Carney

Devin Carney, Republican candidate for State Representative, won the 23rd District Convention by a vote of 10-4.  His campaign was able to earn unanimous support from Lyme, Old Saybrook, and Westbrook.  This included votes from the Lyme First Selectman, Ralph Eno, the Old Saybrook First Selectman, Carl P. Fortuna, Jr., and the current State Representative for the 23rd District, Marilyn Giuliano, who also gave Carney his nominating speech and has endorsed him.

In a statement, Giuliano said, “I believe Devin will work for all of us with energy and integrity, and with an interest not in politics, but public service.”  Giuliano lost her convention in 2002 by onlytwo votes on a second ballot vote after the first vote failed to determine a winner by majority, but defeated her opponent in a primary due to her showing in her hometown of Old Saybrook.

In addition to the support at convention, Carney has received support from each town – which can be seen through his strong fundraising effort.  He collected 95 donations from Old Saybrook, 57 from Old Lyme, 35 from Westbrook, and 18 from Lyme.

Carney stated, “The results at convention were a testament to the hard work I’ve put in these past few months and to the confidence the delegates have in me to win in November.  I bring new, fresh ideas to the table and can’t wait to get up to Hartford to offer some much-needed common sense.  I am not your typical politician, but rather a regular person just trying to fix our economy, get jobs back in Connecticut, and help rejuvenate the Republican Party in this state.”

He continued, “Most importantly, I believe the people of the 23rd District deserve a representative who understands the unique issues in each of the four towns.  While I live in Old Saybrook, my family is from Westbrook, my mother lives in Lyme, and my longtime girlfriend lives in Old Lyme with her children.  I have a personal stake in each town and will be a representative for all; the people of the 23rd deserve nothing less.”

For more information about Carney’s campaign, contact Melissa Bonner at carneyfor23pr@gmail.com.

Vicki Lanier

Vicki Lanier (R) of Old Lyme has announced her intention to primary in August to be the Republican candidate for the state assembly seat of the 23rd District, which will be vacated by Marilyn Giuliano at the end of this year.  Giuliano, who has represented the district since 2003, announced in February that she would not seek a seventh term.

In six weeks of active fundraising, Lanier has exceeded the required amount of funds and number of donors to qualify for public campaign funds to be used both in any primary efforts and ultimately in her race against any Democratic candidate this November.  Lanier’s donors have come from both statewide and the four towns with areas in the 23rd District, namely Old Lyme, Lyme, Old Saybrook and Westbrook.

Lanier commented, “First, I offer congratulations to my Republican opponent [Devin Carney] for the result at the convention, which was not unexpected. The convention is the first part of our process in selecting a candidate to represent the Republican Part this November.”

She continued, ” I am reminded of a time 12 years ago when a strong candidate named Marilyn Giuliano, who lost the convention, felt compelled to let the full membership of the Republican Party make a choice about who would be the best qualified to not only defeat the Democratic opponent, but most importantly, effectively serve the people of the 23rd district.”

Lanier concluded, “As Marilyn emphasized at the Holbrook Dinner last Friday night, it was her practical experience that enabled her to be so successful in the legislature.  I am confident that the voters in the Republican Party will choose a candidate equally equipped with the life experience, professional skill set, energy, and proven track record to be our next representative. ”

For additional information on Lanier, contact vickilanier2014@gmail.com, visit her page on Facebook at “Lanier2014″ and her website at www.lanier2014.com.