Formica wins GOP primary in 2nd District

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — East Lyme First Selectman Paul Formica has won the Republican primary in the congressional district for eastern Connecticut.

Formica faces a November matchup with U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, a Democrat who has represented the 2nd Congressional District for six years.

Formica defeated Daria Novak of Madison in Tuesday's primary contest. He had argued the more conservative Novak could not win a general election in the district.

A restaurant owner who has served as first selectman since 2007, Formica had the GOP's endorsement and had been considered the front-runner. He became involved in politics with a successful run for a seat on the East Lyme Zoning Commission in 1991.

He has called for investing in infrastructure, keeping regulations on small businesses in check and strengthening fiscal discipline in Washington.