Esty, Roraback Win 5th District Races

Esty beat scandal-plagued Chris Donovan for the Democratic nomination.

Tuesday, Aug 14, 2012 | Updated 10:50 PM EDT

NBC Connecticut

Elizabeth Esty (left) won the Democratic nomination for Congress in the 5th District. Andrew Roraback is the GOP nominee after winning a four-way race Tuesday.

House Speaker Chris Donovan, whose campaign was dogged by a campaign finance scandal, has lost his bid for Congress.

Donovan was the Democratic Party's endorsed candidate in the 5th District primary, but a federal investigation produced charges against his former campaign finance director and campaign manager. Former state Rep. Elizabeth Esty won the race.

SEE ALL PRIMARY RESULTS HERE

Donovan's aides were arrested for allegedly participating in a scheme to hide the source of $27,500 in campaign contributions. Authorities said the donations were tied to an effort to defeat legislation that would have raised taxes on "roll-your-own" smoke shop owners.

Donovan has denied any knowledge of the alleged conspiracy and hasn't been charged.

Esty led in fundraising. She was endorsed by Emily's List, a group that backs Democratic women who support abortion rights.

Dan Roberti finished third in the voting.

State Sen. Andrew Roraback won the four-way Republican race for the 5th District.

Roraback, the endorsed Republican candidate, defeated veteran Justin Bernier and business owners Lisa Wilson-Foley and Mark Greenberg.

Roraback is considered a moderate Republican in the General Assembly — a designation some of his challengers used as a criticism.

Roraback said last week that a liberal super PAC was targeting him in the GOP primary to keep the seat safe for Donovan, whom he called a "potential felon."