Following a Newtown Republican Town Committee meeting June 28, it was announced that current Legislative Council Chairman and former Selectman Jeff Capeci was nominated to run for First Selectman this November.

Additionally, current Board of Finance Chairman John Madzula II was selected as Capeci’s Republican running mate for the Board of Selectmen.

This latest news could signal a possible Republican primary locally as Matt Mihalcik previously announced his intention to run for First Selectman as well.

The local GOP’s official endorsement of top of ticket candidates will be made when local Republicans gather for a nominating caucus Tuesday, July 25 at 7:30 pm in the Edmond Town Hall Gymnasium.

Capeci told The Newtown Bee following the announcement he was proud to be selected.

“I am deeply honored by the well of support my fellow RTC members have shown for my candidacy,” Capeci said. “While this is the first mile of a marathon, I am committed to a successful finish. I look forward to the journey and along the way meeting and talking about the issues that matter most to Republicans, independents and like-minded Democrats.”

Capeci pledged that he and Madzula “will build a coalition of Newtowners who seek leaders to plan for our future, facilitate great schools and continue fiscal policies that make Newtown a place people of all ages can afford to call home.”

Madzula, a local attorney, told The Bee he was also honored to be nominated as Capeci’s running mate and thanked the RTC members for their support.

“I am excited to work alongside Jeff, who has committed many years of service to this town,” Madzula said.

“We will seek to work on behalf of all citizens of Newtown. Our goal is to keep Newtown affordable, continue to improve our schools and the infrastructure of the town, and importantly, continue with making Newtown better for all our citizens,” Madzula added. “I’ve had the opportunity to serve on the conservation commission and the BOF over the past six years and look forward to this new opportunity to continue to serve Newtown.”

Board of Education member Dan Cruson was previously nominated as the local Democratic candidate for First Selectman.

Reach Editor John Voket at john@thebee.com.