JT Lewis, the brother of a Sandy Hook victim, is running in the Republican primary for state Senate against incumbent Sen. Tony Hwang in the 28th District.

Lewis says that while he may be a 19-year-old college student, the death of his brother Jesse Lewis in the Sandy Hook shooting has given him wisdom beyond his years.

"I believe that inside every single one of us is that same innate courage we never knew we had to do something extraordinary," Lewis said in his announcement video. "To honor Jesse, I've decided to be courageous enough to run for state Senate in my home state of Connecticut."

Lewis says he wants to focus on school safety and mental health. He also says he is in a unique position when it comes to the cultural divide surrounding gun laws.

“I am actually positioned perfectly as someone who has lost their brother to gun violence but also supports the Second Amendment, I think I can bring these two groups together, here in Connecticut and nationally,” he says.

 Lewis says he will continue as a student at the University of Connecticut, but plans to give up his spot on the football team.

 Hwang tells News 12, "I appreciate and respect anyone's desire to run for public office.”