On the Mark: Boughton endorses Greenberg

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Will the third time be the charm for Mark Greenberg?

Twice passed over for the GOP nomination in the 5th Congressional District, Greenberg has locked up the endorsement of Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton.

“Over the past several years I have gotten to know Mark and appreciate his dedication to the Republican party and working to elect Republicans at every level,” Boughton said of Greenberg. “Mark is not only a team player but a person I consider a friend. I look forward to him being part of the team that helps restore fiscal sanity to our great state.”

Greenberg’s wooing of Boughton, a Republican gubernatorial contender, has been four years in the making.

In 2010, Boughton backed then-state Sen. Sam Caligiuri of Waterbury over Greenberg in the 5th District. Caligiuri went on to lose to general election to Democrat Chris Murphy, a member of the House at the time.

Two years ago, Boughton endorsed Lisa Wilson-Foley, who finished last in a four-way GOP primary that was won by Andrew Roraback and included Greenberg. Roraback lost to Democrat Elizabeth Esty for the open seat of Murphy, who was elected to the U.S. Senate.

Greenberg, a businessman from Litchfield and prolific self-funder of his multiple bids for Congress, is the heavy favorite to earn the GOP’s endorsement in the 5th District Friday night at Mohegan Sun. He faces Kent bicycle touring company owner Sal Lilienthal.

The 5th District stretches from Danbury to the Farmington Valley and includes Litchfield County, Meriden and New Britain.

Neil Vigdor