State Sen. Gary LeBeau dropped out of the governor’s race on Monday morning.
The East Hartford Democrat had been among the lowest-favored candidates in the latest Quinnipiac University poll – trailing far behind Democrats Ned Lamont of Greenwich and Dannel Malloy of Stamford.
“With deep regret and strong sense of achievement, I am ending my bid for the Democratic nomination for governor,” LeBeau wrote in an e-mail to supporters. “I thank you and my many supporters who have given me encouragement, advice, time and donations over the past 12 months. I am wiser and wealthier as a result of this experience, and you are a key reason.”
He continued, “You know, last year I started this campaign with the idea that jobs and Connecticut’s economic future are the most important challenges facing our state. At that time, I, –drawing on my many years of experience chairing the legislative Commerce Committee — was virtually the only one saying this. Now, every candidate has recognized the importance of this issue. I will continue to fight for a more competitive and prosperous Connecticut, most likely by seeking reelection as state senator.”