Gov. Ned Lamont has nominated Bryan Cafferelli, currently the legal counsel for the state Senate Republican Office, to be commissioner of the state Department of Consumer Protection.

The Democratic governor said that Cafferelli’s nomination is a "fresh start" and says Cafferelli will be "a champion for consumers."

“He is strongly aligned with our administration’s mission of protecting consumers while also streamlining processes to make it easier for the residents and businesses of our state to interact with their government,” said Lamont in prepared remarks.

He also thanked exiting DCP Commissioner Michelle Seagull, who was appointed to the role in May 2017 and was re-nominated in January 2019.

Cafferelli served as a drug control attorney for the DCP from April 2017 to January 2019. He previously worked as special deputy assistant state’s attorney for the Office of the State’s Attorney in the Judicial District of Stamford, and as chief of staff and legal counsel for former Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele.

“The Department of Consumer Protection has an important function of not only protecting residents from unfair business practices and unsafe products, but also enforcing federal and state laws to ensure a fair and safe marketplace for everyone,” Cafferelli said in prepared remarks. “I am honored by Governor Lamont’s faith in me to lead this state agency, and I look forward to joining this group of talented professionals in advancing the department’s mission.”