The field of Republicans gunning for Connecticut Rep. Jim Himes thinned by one Thursday, as former state Sen. Rob Russo announced he was ending his campaign and endorsing rival Dan Debicella.
Russo, one of six Republicans in the race, penned a letter to supporters expressing confidence that he would have gathered enough support at the district GOP convention to qualify for the August primary, but said the party should try to avoid an intramural fight for the nomination.
"I do not believe that forcing a primary is in the best interests of our party. It is time I step aside and work with the strongest candidate who has the best opportunity to beat Jim Himes," Russo wrote. "Right now, that is the best thing I can do to ensure the Fourth District gets the strong and principled leadership in Congress we so desperately need and deserve."
Russo, who served as an aide to former 4th District Rep. Christopher Shays, trailed his rivals significantly in fundraising and reported having less than $40,000 in the bank at the end of March.
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