Mike Clark, a Republican running in the 5th Congressional District, announced Wednesday that he was leaving the race and throwing his support behind Andrew Roraback.
Clark said Roraback embodies the spirit of a New England Republican and is the one Republican who can win in the race, for a seat being vacated by Chris Murphy, who is running for U.S. Senate. Democrats have endorsed Chris Donovan, the General Assembly’s speaker of the House, for the seat.
Roraback said that he was humbled and honor to have Clark’s support, and that he felt his candidacy was peaking at the right time. Republicans will endorse candidates for U.S. Senate and Congress at their state convention in Hartford on Friday.
A former FBI agent and local official in Farmington, Clark, 57, had trouble getting traction in the crowded 5th District race and his fundraising has lagged. He acknowledged Wednesday that he did not have the support of enough delegates to make inroads at Friday’s convention.
Four other Republicans — Roraback, Justin Bernier, Mark Greenberg, and Lisa Wilson-Foley — are also seeking the party’s endorsement.
Clark made his announcement at a 4 p.m. press conference held outdoors at his Farmington headquarters. A TV reporter asked Clark if he would be making his announcement from a podium. Clark said, “If could afford a podium, I’d still be in the race.”
State GOP Chairman Jerry Labriola congratulated Clark for running a good race.
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3 Responses to Mike Clark Bows Out, Backs Roraback In 5th
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Hopefully he isn’t withdrawing his complaint against the Wilson – Foley campaign regarding its illegal payments to John Rowland as well.
If Wilson-Foley refused to release documentation about Rowland involvement with her husbands company I would be concerned. When her opponents asked for documentation she released copies of contracts in less than 24 hours. Clark, Greenberg and Roraback never thought she would provide information. When Clark and Brian Foley were sparring over the nonsense investigation 20 yrs ago, it was Clark who Brian Foley who stood his ground and Clark eventually admitted Brian Foley was correct in his comments (and both the FEC and the almighty FBI found nothing illegal). When Greenberg made up a story about Rowland and his interaction with him in 2010, Greenberg was asked to provide proof of his claim but refused. The media has hurt the efforts of the Republican party in their attempts to focus on everything but the issues and who is the best candidate.
Interesting how Clark has stated before the biggest concern for the 5th district is JOBS. Clark has also acknowledged before that Lisa Wilson-Foley has created more jobs than all of the candidates combined. But Clark endorses Roraback. Not a surprise considering Clark was not able to kill the Wilson-Foley campaign with his Rowland Gate scandal attempts.