A Bethel Democrat will be running for state Representative in the 107th District, following a failed bid at his party's nomination in the 2nd District.  26-year old Thomas Burke lost the nomination to 24-year old Raghib Allie-Brennan. 

Burke's parents have a house in the 2nd District, which covers part of Bethel, Redding, Danbury and Newtown.  The 107th District includes Brookfield and the Stony Hill section of Bethel.  Burke says he plans to move to the district this summer, and that his family has a home on Wooster Street.  He is currently studying at Yale University and living on campus. 

The Marine veteran says instead of dividing the party by forcing a Democratic primary in the 2nd state house District, he was offered the chance to run for the 107th.  He will challenge 1st term Republican Stephen Harding, a 28-year old attorney. 

Even though Burke received enough support during the nominating caucus to automatically qualify for a primary, there was a question on if he was eligible to be a candidate.  Burke recently switched his party affiliation and there is state statute dictating time frames for eligibility.

Allie-Brennan will be running against Republican Will Duff for the open seat being vacated by Dan Carter, who is challenging U-S Senator Richard Blumenthal.