Chris Donovan says he can’t quit Chris Donovan

In an email message to supporters of his embattled congressional bid, state House Speaker Chris Donovan, D-Meriden, pulls a bit of a Brokeback Mountain and promises he won’t quit on them or on himself.

Here’s Donovan’s full message:

Supporter,

Thank you for your support. It means so much to me to know that you, and hundreds of families across the district, continue to stand with me. It has been a difficult couple of days, both personally, and for the campaign. Your support means the world to me, because I know I can count on you in the rough times, as well as the good ones.

On Sunday, I stood in front of news cameras and reporters, made a statement, and took their questions. I have a video of it up online, but I wanted to share some of my remarks with you:

Let me be very clear about this: At no time did I know that anyone might have been trying to funnel illegal contributions to my campaign. No one ever made a deal with me as a quid pro quo.

I did not know about it at any point during the legislative session.

Let me say this unequivocally: No one bought my involvement, my position or my influence on the ‘roll your own’ legislation or any other. Period.

I have cooperated with federal authorities and I will continue to do that as this investigation proceeds.

All I can do is emphatically reassure the voters that I have done nothing wrong.

I am so very grateful – I’ve been overwhelmed by some of the calls and notes I have received from others. People who have known me for 30 years – or a lot less – have told me to fight on, and I will.

I’m looking forward to this race, and this fight, like no other in my life.

As Tom Swan told you yesterday, the campaign is moving forward and it’s moving forward the right way.

We are going to win this race because I am the only candidate who is willing to fight for the working families of the 5th CD – to bring good jobs with strong benefits back home, to protect Medicare and Social Security, and to end the Republicans’ destructive attacks on women’s health care and contraception.

And we will win because I have you by my side. Together we organize, together we knock doors, together we make calls, and together we win by getting out the vote. Will you join me today by clicking here and pledging to stand with me?

The headline in yesterday’s Hartford Courant was “NO QUIT IN DONOVAN” – well, I can confirm it for you. There is no quit in me. Not now, not when we have the most important fight of our lives – for the future of the working families of Connecticut.

Thank you once more for all you do,

Chris

PS Let’s spread the word far and wide – will you forward this email to your friends and ask them to stand with us too?

Brian Lockhart