Matt Mihalcik — via a release submitted to The Newtown Bee June 9 — announced his candidacy for First Selectman of Newtown.

He will be seeking the support and nomination to represent the Republican Party in the upcoming election. Mihalcik has have been an elected member of the Legislative Council since 2021 and involved in numerous town boards and commissions since 2013.

“Newtown is a very special community and when I moved here and started to get involved, many made me feel like I had always been a part of the fabric of this community,” said Mihalcik. “I want to retain that feeling for many years to come and ensure others are included in a similar manner”

Mihalcik has been employed by Newtown Savings Bank since 2015 and is currently a Small Business Lender. He has been very involved in the small business community as the President of the Southbury Business Association and most recently the Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce of Newtown.

Additionally, Mihalcik co-owns a small business in Newtown with his wife, Melissa.

Mihalcik said his volunteerism started at a young age when he was a Boy Scout earning the highest honor, the Eagle Scout Award. His volunteerism continued through college and after as a volunteer for Special Olympics, Sundown Ski Patrol and other non-profits.

He attended Central Connecticut State University and majored in Criminology and minored in Political Science.

Mihalcik moved to town in 2012 and shortly thereafter was appointed to the Economic Development Commission by First Selectman Pat Llodra. Shortly thereafter, he was also appointed to the Board of Directors of the C.H. Booth Library where he was also the Race Director for the annual Turkey Trot road race benefiting the library.

In 2019, Mihalcik was elected to the Board of Finance, which enabled him to use his finance experience and commitment to volunteerism. Furthering his municipal government experience, the Town of Southbury appointed him to their Tax Incentive Task Force.

Mihalcik's stated vision for the community is to "ensure that Newtown is a great place for all to live, work and thrive.

He pledged to work "to ensure that the town retains its great rating by bond agencies, the schools are funded appropriately and there are great places for everyone to enjoy in the open space, town parks and community center."

He said he is dedicated to the town, its residents and small businesses.

"I will serve the town and ensure that all are fairly heard and represented," Mihalcik said. "Our community is very special and when I moved here and started to get involved many of those made me feel like I had lived here forever. I want to retain that feeling for many years to come and ensure that all get that same feeling. I look forward to meeting and hearing from everyone as their campaign season kicks off."