Courtney Won't Run for Senate

The race for Senate in 2012 will not include Congressman Joe Courtney.

He has decided he will not pursue the seat. Instead, he’ll focus on his duties as a U.S. Representative.

"As I have considered a run for the United States Senate over the past few weeks, I have done so with one question in mind: How can I best continue serving the people of eastern Connecticut?,” he said in a statement released on Monday. “After careful deliberation, however, I have decided to focus on my work as a Congressman and will decline to enter the race for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate."

U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman will not seek re-election in 2012 and the race is heating up.

On the Democratic side, U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy will run for the seat, as will former Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz.

Former WWE CEO Linda McMahon, a Republican, has not yet announced but there is speculation that she will enter the race.

Paul Passarelli, president of Solar & Thermal, based in Norwalk, plans for run as a Libertarian candidate, the Norwich Bulletin reports.

Courtney said Republicans in the U.S. House last week pushed through legislation that would cut support for firefighters and cut funding that helps homeless veterans and he wants to continue to do work in Congress.

“Their efforts highlight what is at stake for this district, and why it is critical that eastern Connecticut continue to have a strong voice defending its priorities over the next two years,” Courtney said.

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