Republican convention under way in Hartford

Hartford – The 2012 Republican nominating event for a U.S. Senate seat and Connecticut’s five House of Representatives seats is now under way in a downtown Hartford convention center.

Hundreds of delegates from across the state have taken their seats for opening remarks by GOP Chairman Jerry Labriola Jr.

“Today is a very exciting day. It’s the day we Republicans start to take back our state,” Labriola said. “We can take back Connecticut by sending Republicans to Washington.”

Over the new several hours, delegates will vote to endorse candidates for each of the five Congressional districts. There are three GOP candidates vying to run against U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District: Daria Novak of Madison, East Lyme First Selectman Paul Formica and attorney Doug Dubitsky of North Windham.

East Lyme Selectwoman Holly Cheeseman urged fellow delegates to support Formica, the only candidate of the three with elected office experience.

“If we’re going to beat Joe Courtney, we need someone who can attract Democrats and Republicans,” she said in a brief interview.

The voting period could begin as early as 3 p.m.

Delegates will turn their attention to the U.S. Senate race early this evening. The party’s 2010 nominee, Linda McMahon, is fending off a hard challenge from former Congressman Christopher Shays.