A crowd of 50 residents of Durham, Middlefield, Middletown and Rockfall met Monday in Middlefield and unanimously nominated State Representative Matt Lesser for a second term.

Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz, who previously represented Lesser’s district, nominated Lesser. The nomination was seconded by Durham Selectman Jim McLaughlin, Middletown Councilwoman Hope Kasper and others.

Lesser will be the Democratic candidate in the fall election.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dan Malloy (D-Stamford) also spoke in favor of the nomination, praising Lesser’s work to save dairy farms and lower electricity rates. Connecticut residents currently pay the highest electric rates in the continental United States.

Malloy said as Governor that he would support Lesser’s efforts to reform electricity markets. On Tuesday Governor Rell vetoed an Energy Bill that Lesser argued would lower home electric rates by 15%.

Malloy also recognized Lesser as a “children’s champion” who has fought for early childhood education and area schools.

Bysiewicz praised Lesser’s energy and his commitment to the families of the 100th district. She called him a friend and said “Matt made the reduction of electric rates and the promotion of renewable energy strong priorities. Those are things that the 100th district needs very much.”

McLaughlin specifically thanked Lesser for championing legislation that benefits Durham, including funding for the Durham library, resurfacing Route 68 and a recent law Lesser passed which saved the Durham Fair.

Middlefield reident Nicole Brewer sang the national anthem, a capela, and Middlefield selectman Mary Beth Johnson led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.