Heir unapparent

Willilam Tong, right, talks to fellow Democratic mayoral candidate David Martin after Martin accepted the Democratic City Committee endorsement during the committee's meeting at the Sheraton Stamford Hotel on Wednesday, July 18, 2013.

Willilam Tong, right, talks to fellow Democratic mayoral candidate David Martin after Martin accepted the Democratic City Committee endorsement during the committee’s meeting at the Sheraton Stamford Hotel on Wednesday, July 18, 2013.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy would just as soon choose between Colony Grill and Riko’s for Stamford’s best pizza slice.

Or maybe between UBS and RBS for the bank with the most cachet.

There’s one rivalry in his home city, where he was mayor from 1995 to 2009, that has Malloy treading lightly.

Malloy has thus far declined to make an endorsement in Stamford’s Democratic mayoral primary race between David Martin and William Tong, which will be settled Sept. 10.

“No decision has been made,” said Andrew Doba, a spokesman for Malloy.

Malloy’s reluctance to pick sides in the contest stands in stark contrast to his recent decision to endorse state Sen. Toni Harp in New Haven’s Democratic mayoral primary.

UPDATE: Malloy’s spokesman provided this further explanation Tuesday morning as to why the governor was willing to make an endorsement in New Haven, but not Stamford.

“As you know, the governor generally does not get involved in primaries unless he feels strongly about a candidate. He feels strongly that Toni Harp is the best, most qualified person to be New Haven’s next mayor.”

Martin, a member of the Board of Finance, earned the endorsement of the Democratic City Committee in July.

“I don’t think voters put a lot of weight into endorsements, broadly,” said Patrick Romano, Martin’s campaign manager. “We certainly would welcome his endorsement, following the lead of the local Democratic Party.”

Tong, a state representative since 2006 for parts of Stamford and New Canaan, petitioned his way onto the primary ballot.

“Obviously, as the Number 1 Democrat in our state and the former mayor of Stamford, we would love his endorsement,” said Josh Fedeli, Tong’s campaign manager.

With less than a month to go in the primary race, Fedeli said Tong is not consumed with earning endorsements.

“Right now we are focusing on the voters of Stamford and winning this primary,” Fedeli said.

GOP incumbent Michael Pavia is not seeking re-election. The winner of the Democratic primary is on a collision path with former Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele, who earned the GOP endorsement and is not facing a primary foe.

“Obviously, the governor is excited by the prospect of having a Democrat back in the mayor’s office,” Doba said. “There was much that he accomplished during his time as mayor, and getting a Democrat into office to build on that record would be a positive thing for the city of Stamford.”

Neil Vigdor