Thomas Burke Announces Plans to Run for State Representative for 2nd District

NEWTOWN, CT-- Thomas Burke will officially announce his candidacy for State Representative for the 2nd District of the Connecticut State Representative which includes parts of Bethel, Newtown, Redding, and Danbury.

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Burke, an infantry Marine Veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, said he "is committed to working for the community" and has demonstrated leadership and integrity.

State Representative Dan Carter recently announced that he will not seek reelection.

"Our district deserves a fresh face, one who is willing and able to be a dedicated asset to our community and will be capable of working with legislators to bring business back to Connecticut," Burke said in a release.

Burke has been a life-long member of St. Mary’s Church and has served as a volunteer for the Special Olympics, The Scotty Fund and other charities. Burke graduated from Bethel High School and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps when he was 17. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Sacred Heart University and is currently a Master’s of Divinity Candidate at Yale University.

While in Iraq and Afghanistan, Burke learned Arabic and Pashto to work with locals to rid their area of Al-Qaeda and Taliban, Burke said.

"Using those same pastoral and negotiation skills, I plan on learning the language that will allow me to break Hartford gridlock. The tools and lessons I gained growing up in Bethel instilled in me the civic duty and deep faith that motivates me to serve my community," Burke stated.

"The Burke name has long been known for service in Bethel, from my grandfather helping start the Bethel Parks and Recreation Department to my mother, the founder and former President of the Bethel Youth Lacrosse Association."

"Instead of sending another representative who won’t be able to cooperate with his colleagues, our district deserves a leader forged by combat who will show enough humility and tact to create a dialogue with partners from both sides of the aisle," Burke said.

Bethel Democratic Chair Nick Vitti says he is, “excited at the prospect of such an impressive candidate.”

Burke said, “This is the community I grew up in, the community that instilled in me the values that made me the man I am today, the man who fought for his flag and continues to serve his home. I am looking forward to begin my campaign to show the people of Bethel, Newtown, Danbury, and Redding how committed I am to this community. I plan to be a fighter for them in Hartford, where I will bring much needed integrity to our state legislature.”