KENT—By unanimous vote, Justin Potter was endorsed as the Democratic candidate for Connecticut’s 30th District State Senate seat at a nominating convention Tuesday, May 14, at the Kent Community House in Kent.
“It is an extraordinary honor to accept the Democratic nomination for State Senate in District 30,” Potter told the delegates and guests gathered.
The first person Potter thanked was his wife, Claire Love, a Roxbury native who had encouraged him to run for the seat after he was asked if he would consider it.
Potter, 44, lives in Kent and is president of the nonprofit Kent Affordable Housing. In his speech accepting the nomination, Potter said solving the district’s housing crisis would be one of his top priorities if elected. “This is a crisis we can do something about—in ways that allow us to continue to preserve open space and that respect local control of zoning,” Potter said.
“I’m running as a practical Democrat because I want to help develop solutions to difficult problems,” he added.
Potter’s name was placed in nomination by delegate Mary Weber of Washington, who has known Potter since he was in kindergarten at Washington Primary School. “Justin has always been a very caring person,” she said. “The Justin I know will study the issues and make factual decisions.”
Dave Lawson of New Milford seconded the nomination and he previously ran for the seat in 2016 and 2018.
“This is a tough district with 18 towns. We now have a candidate who is eager, has the passion and knowledge. We have to help him to win.”
Potter was the only declared candidate for the Democratic nomination.
The 30th District State Senate seat was last won by a Democrat in 1978. “Knocking on doors of unaffiliated voters has only made me more optimistic that this is the year that a practical Democrat can win this seat for the first time since 1978,” Potter said. Potter announced that he had met the thresholds to qualify for a state-funded election grant back in April, which requires raising $17,300, and getting donations from at least 300 voters who live in the district. He thanked his supporters for embracing his campaign with strong enthusiasm: “Now, let’s get to work—together—to flip this seat!”
