Shelton resident Ben McGorty was nominated by delegates from Shelton, Stratford, and Trumbull to fill the remaining term of State Representative Larry Miller, who passed away in May.
McGorty accepted the nomination saying he would work to “continue Larry Miller’s work in Hartford to build our economy and fight against Gov. Dannel Malloy’s tax increases.”
McGorty will be the Republican nominee for the special election on Tuesday, July 22 to fill the remaining months of Miller’s term.
Miller, a Republican, passed away on May 30th after over twenty years as a state representative serving Shelton, Stratford and Trumbull.
McGorty is a realtor with William Raveis. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus and is active in local and statewide fire prevention efforts.
McGorty is a 25 year volunteer with the Shelton Fire department and serves on Shelton’s Board of Fire Commissioners.
His wife, Noreen, is an alderman in Shelton representing the Huntington section of town. She has most recently been a strong proponent of full-day kindergarten. They live in Shelton with their two children, Bennie and Siobhan. They are parishioners of St. Lawrence Church.
McGorty said three things motivated him to run for the seat.
“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.”
Third, McGorty said, is his love of community service.
“I was taught from a young age that it is important to give back to our neighbors,” he said. “My wife and I have taught that to our own children. Serving Shelton, Stratford, and Trumbull in Hartford will help me accomplish that.”
State Representative Jason Perillo of Shelton praised McGorty’s nomination.
Perillo spoke highly of McGorty, noting McGorty was known for his honesty and for his deep commitment to his family and community service.
“Like Larry Miller, Ben McGorty will always tell you exactly where he stands and will promote honest, professional government,” Perillo said. “At the same time, Ben will be tireless in his pursuit of a safe environment where we can live, work, and raise our families.”
