The Morris Republican Town Committee has taken back its endorsement of 5th District candidate Justin Bernier and given it to one of his intra-party rivals, Sam Caligiuri.
Both candidates hope to unseat U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy, but “Sam’s background and experience particularly in larger cities like Waterbury give him a much better chance of winning,” Morris GOP leader Jerry Hickey said this afternoon. “It’s absolutely imperative that we get rid of Chris Murphy.’
UPDATE: On Thursday Bernier announced that he’s picked up the endorsements of the Bethel and Bethlehem RTCs.
“‘With his military service and background in economics, Justin Bernier is the best Republican candidate and will draw the clearest contrast with Chris Murphy,” Bethlehem selectman and RTC member Ed Roden said in a statement.
The Morris town committee endorsed Bernier months ago, Hickey said, back when Caligiuri was still a candidate for U.S. Senate.
Hickey said there some town committee members were initially reluctant to switch their endorsement. “We don’t like to go back on our commitments, but after having met with Sam on two occasions, we just felt he was what’s required to win in.”
It’s not the first time one of Bernier’s fellow Republicans have pulled the rug out from under him: Nancy Johnson, the former occupant of the seat both men covet, also switched her endorsement from Bernier to Caligiuri.