WESTPORT–Lee Goldstein will carry the Democratic party nomination in the November election to replace Jonathan Steinberg as Westport’s representative in Hartford.
Her potential challenger, RTM member Matthew Mandell, decided to suspend his campaign for State Representative.
Though Goldstein had won the support of the Democratic Town Committee last week by a significant margin, Mandell hinted that he would mount a primary challenge.
Mandell said in a statement that he wished Goldstein well moving forward and added that he is “deeply grateful to the volunteers, supporters, well-wishers, and donors who placed their trust in me and my candidacy.”
Goldstein told Westport Journal, “Matthew has always led with his heart and a deep commitment to Westport. We all benefit from the time, energy, and care he has devoted to this community, and I look forward to continuing to work with him.”
Mandell: “My commitment to Westport remains as strong as ever. I will continue to be a steadfast advocate for our community and look forward to channeling my energy, experience, and passion into new opportunities to serve and strengthen the town we all care so deeply about.”
There are 7,955 registered Democrats in Westport, and a measly 48 of them (really 25 of them) decide who the rest of us get to vote for. I’m disappointed that both Matt and Lucy Dathan have folded like cardboard suitcases in the rain, because it would have been nice to have given the 99.4% of Westport Democrats an opportunity to choose their nominees in November. Alas, the Mechanicrats tell us who our choices are.
While I have no interest in seeing Alma Sarelli elected to higher office, I really don’t want Lee Goldstein bringing her agenda of higher taxes and anti-environmentalism to Hartford. Maybe voting GOP (in these races) wouldn’t be such a bad thing, within the context?