Donovan Out; Esty Gets Working Families Party Endorsement

State House Speaker Christopher Donovan dropped out of the 5th Congressional District race Thursday morning, and a few hours later, the Working Families Party voted to endorse Democrat Elizabeth Esty for the seat.

“Elizabeth Esty is in the best position to fight for working and middle class families going forward,” said Working Families Party Executive Director Lindsay Farrell.

Donovan, a 20-year state lawmaker from Meriden, lost the Democratic primary to Esty, of Cheshire, earlier this month, but secured a place on the November ballot because of his Working Families Party’s endorsement.

Donovan hand delivered a letter to Secretary of the State Denise Merrill Thursday, withdrawing his candidacy and putting an end to more than two weeks of speculation.

He could not be reached for further comment, but a press release issued by the Working Families Party quotes Donovan as saying that he now endorses Esty for the 5th District seat.