Secretary of the State Denise Merrill today said she joins other officials and lawmakers in mourning the death of veteran state Rep. Larry Miller of Stratford, who died Sunday from complications of cancer at age 78. Merrill also officially notified Governor Dannel P. Malloy of the vacancy. Malloy now has until June 11, 2014 to issue a Writ of Special Election to choose a successor to represent the district, which includes parts of Stratford, Trumbull and Shelton. The special election would then be held within 46 days, making the special election sometime in late July.
“Even though we are sad to lose Larry, he would also be the first one to say that democracy must move forward,” Merrill said in a statement, adding that Miller, a Republican, had been endorsed for re-election, but withdrew his candidacy on Friday May 30, 2014. State law allows GOP delegates from that district to new reconvene to endorse a new candidate.