Republican Justin Bernier, former director of Connecticut’s Office of Military Affairs, plans to challenge for Democrat Chris Murphy’s congressional seat in 2010.
Bernier, 33, is expected to formally announce his candidacy for the Fifth Congressional District onThursday at 9:45 a.m. at the Farmington Community & Senior Center.
Bernier is an intelligence officer with the U.S. Navy reserve, a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan), and a former member of Second District Congressman Rob Simmons’ staff.
Bernier stepped down in early March from his post in the state Office of Military Affairs.
According to Bernier’s campaign, he played an instrumental role in saving the submarine base in New London in 2005.Â
A native of Farmington, Bernier and his wife, Jennie, live in Plainville.
Murphy won his reelection last year with 59 percent of the vote.
