Donovan withdraws as Conn. third-party candidate

August 30, 2012 12:45 pm • Last Updated: August 30, 2012 12:50 pm

In this June 12, 2012 file photo, Connecticut House Speaker and Democratic candidate for U.S. Congress Chris Donovan stands at the beginning of a special session at the Capitol in Hartford, Conn.

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — House Speaker Chris Donovan is withdrawing as a third party candidate for Connecticut's 5th Congressional District.

After losing the Democratic primary on Aug. 14 to former state Rep. Elizabeth Esty, he could have remained in the race because he was cross-endorsed by the Connecticut Working Families Party.

Donovan submitted a letter to Secretary of the State Denise Merrill on Thursday requesting that his name be withdrawn. Merrill said the party has until Sept. 5 to nominate someone else if it wants to put on a candidate on the November ballot. Party leaders met Wednesday privately with Esty, but have not said whether they plan to now endorse her.

Some Democratic leaders opposed Donovan running as a third party candidate, fearing it would help Republican state Sen. Andrew Roraback.

Comment threads are monitored for 48 hours after publication and then closed.

STORIES THAT MAY INTEREST YOU