Brian McGorty, Arlene Liscinsky, selected to run for the vacancy left by death of state Rep. Larry Miller

 

Republican and Democratic delegates from Shelton, Stratford and Trumbull have selected Shelton residents to be the two candidates for the July 22 special election to fill the rest of the term created by the recent death of veteran state Rep. Larry Miller of Stratford.

Republican Brian McGorty, a Realtor and Democrat Arlene Liscinsky, a Shelton Board of Education member, will have an abbreviated five-week campaign for the 122nd District vacancy. The winner would serve until the General Assembly reconvenes in January, but would also have a chance to win election to a two-year term on their own in November.

In a statement, McGorty promised to “continue Larry Miller’s work in Hartford to build our economy and fight against Governor Dannel Malloy’s tax increases.” He is a member of the Knights of Columbus; is a 25-year volunteer with the Shelton Fire department; and serves on the city’s Board of Fire Commissioners.

He and his Noreen, an alderman from the Huntington neighborhood live in Shelton with their two children, Bennie and Siobhan.

“First, I am running to complete the great work that Larry Miller was focused on,” McGorty said. “I will continue Larry’s commitment to fair affordable housing laws, a clean environment, and job growth.  Second, I believe that the point of government should be to make our lives better – to make them easier.  Ever-increasing state spending doesn’t do that.  Larry Miller believed in fiscal responsibility – and so do I.  I’ll continue his work as a fiscal watchdog in Hartford.”

Shelton Democratic Town Committee Chairman David Gioiello said Liscinsky is a dedicated public servant who deserves to join the state House of Representatives.

“Arlene is a strong candidate who has dedicated many years of her life to serving others and making a difference in her community,” he said.

“Arlene’s representation in the state Legislature will ensure that all thoughts and opinions of the constituents within her district will be heard at the state level.”   She has served locally and statewide as a Parent Teacher Association representative, and as a Board of Education (BOE) member for 13 years, where she is secretary and finance chairman. For the last five years, she has held the role of president of Cooperative Educational Services, representing Shelton on the Fairfield County Regional Educational Service Center.

She is married to Joseph Liscinsky Jr. and they have two grown daughters.

mcgortyarleneMcGorty, left and Liscinsky, right. Photos are contributed.