Norwich ― Republicans on Tuesday nominated Mark Adams of Norwich to challenge 16-term incumbent state Rep. Kevin Ryan, D-Montville, for the 139th state representative seat in November.

Ryan, 71, of Montville, was nominated unanimously on Wednesday at Norwich City Hall.

The district covers portions of Norwich, Montville and Ledyard.

Ryan, an adjunct physics professor at the University of New Haven, serves on the Appropriations and Public Health committees.

This year Ryan is chairman of the national Council of State Governments.

Ryan thanked delegates from the three towns who nominated him Wednesday and said in the next session, he hopes to work on affordable housing, health care for small businesses and climate change.

“I’ve enjoyed doing this for many years and I want to continue to do it,“ Ryan said. ”It’s great to meet the people and address their concerns, not only on a broad level, statewide, but on a personal level.“

The 51-year-old Adams, a public safety officer, ran unsuccessfully against Ryan in 2022.

“I just want to say thank you for the nomination,” Adams said.

“I look forward to tackling this economic crisis that is consuming our families in this state, not just in our district but in our state, and combating some of the crime issues that continue to rise under current representation. I look forward to a, let’s say, epic battle with the Democrats,” he said.