Yikes. Talk about a late-breaking development. Dan Roberti’s father, Vin, a former Bridgeport state lawmaker now deeply ensconced in the Washington power game, must be very proud at this moment, because former President Bill Clinton has just endorsed Dan for tomorrow’s three-way primary.
“Whether running a homeless shelter, organizing rebuilding efforts after Hurricane Katrina, or helping veterans find jobs, Dan has demonstrated a deep commitment to public service,” Clinton said in a release this afternoon from Roberti’s campaign. “He’s always working to make a difference for other people, and he’s good at it. That’s why I know that in Congress he will bring fresh ideas to get our economy moving again, while protecting Social Security and Medicare and supporting women’s rights.”
This should add yet another layer of intrigue to the 5th District contest among Speaker of the House Chris Donovan of Meriden, former single-term state lawmaker Elizabeth Esy of Cheshire and Roberti, of Kent.
“I thank President Clinton for his support of my candidacy,” said Roberti through the campaign, from which he stapped back from public appearances last week following the death of his mother. “The endorsement is a great honor, and I pledge that if elected as congressman, I will work toward returning the country to the kind of prosperity that was the hallmark of the Clinton administration. I have admired the Clinton presidency as a time of great achievement for the nation. I hope to face the challenges of public office with the same resolve and commitment to hardworking Americans that was demonstrated by President Clinton.”