Mike Clark: I’m Out, Roraback’s The One

Fifth District Republican Mike Clark tells me his campaign to win his party’s nomination never got traction so he’s cashing it in and endorsing Andrew Roraback:

I’m stepping out. I want to push Roraback forward. He has got the integrity and the experience and the independence. He is the one who can win this race for the Republican party … This is a winnable race. That’s what is important in my stepping aside. I want to push a guy who can bring this home.

Clark, a fiscal conservative and social moderate, is a retired FBI agent who helped to lead the investigation and arrest of former Gov. John Rowland. During the campaign he tangled again with the ex-governor, filing a Federal Election Commission complaint against Rowland for his behind-the-scenes role with Lisa Wilson-Foley, who is also running for the 5th district slot.

Republicans will meet Friday in Hartford to pick a candidate from the four candidates still in the race, a group that also includes Justin Bernier and Mark Greenberg. A primary is expected.