The race in the 24th Senatorial District to replace Senator David Cappiello took a twist today when announced candidate Mike McLachlan announced that he has met the qualifications for the Citizens’ Election Program.  The Danbury News-Times has the story:

“The greater Danbury area is truly the gateway to New England, but we must work aggressively to preserve this beautiful place we call home,” he said. “We must engage state resources to increase grant funding to our communities for open-space preservation efforts.”

The Citizens’ Election Program requires a candidate for the State Senate to meet two thresholds - first, to raise contributions from 300 individual contributors that reside within towns in the district, and second, to raise $15,000 in increments of between $5 and $100. Mr. McLachlan’s qualification means that upon being nominated by the Convention on May 13, he will receive $85,000 from the State.