Former State Sen. Dan Debicella, R-Shelton, concedes to U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-Greenwich, at the conclusion of their 2010 Fourth Congressional District race.
Republican Dan Debicella informed his supporters by e-mail today that he will not run again for Congress in 2012.
The former state senator from Shelton fell short in his 2010 challenge of Democratic incumbent Jim Himes in the Fourth Congressional District, which covers most of Fairfield County and a sliver of New Haven County.
Debicella, 37, told Hearst Connecticut Newspapers that his top priorities right now are starting a family with his wife, Alex, and his job of nearly one year at Bridgewater Associates, the Westport hedge fund of Greenwich billionaire Ray Dalio.
“I was definitely thinking about it,” Debicella said of running. “We were the closest federal race in Connecticut. Obviously, I have a passion for public service.”
Debicella emphasized that he is not done with politics altogether and could once again seek office down the road.
“This year, I’m going to be scratching my public service itch through community organization and helping others run for office,” Debicella said.
The 2010 GOP nominee did give a shout-out to the current crop of Republican candidates in his e-mail to supporters, including links to the campaign websites of Steve Obsitnik, Chris Meek and John Orner.
“They are all the types of Republicans that Fairfield County would vote for,” Debicella told the newspaper.