Ann Brookes, who narrowly lost the Republican endorsement for the 2nd Congressional District nomination, said Thursday she will not wage a primary against Daria Novak.
“I am a person of my word. And I will keep my pledge to the people of the 2nd Congressional District,” said Brookes, who had promised to abide by the wishes of the GOP nominating convention.
Brookes, a late entrant into the race, lost the endorsement at the convention on a vote of 139 to 134. The threshold to automatically qualify for a primary was just 15 percent.
The close vote and encouragement by delegates prompted her to reconsider her promise. “I’m not saying I will primary,” Brookes said after the vote. “I’m saying I will listen to what the delegates are asking.”
Novak will face U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, a Democrat first elected in 2006 in the second district, which covers the eastern half of the state.
Brookes’ decision means the GOP, which holds no congressional seats in Connecticut, will be spared primaries in all five congressional districts. August Wolf, who fell short of 15 percent at the convention, is petitioning to force a primary against Dan Carter for the U.S. Senate nomination.
Brookes, a member of the Westbrook Republican Town Committee who was seeking office for the first time, said she will remain active.
“This experience has not diluted my desire to serve my community through public office,” she said. “For this reason, I will look to future election cycles.”