Harris to Exit Race for Secretary of the State

State Senator Jonathan Harris (D-West Hartford) will drop out of the race the Democratic nomination for Secretary of the State.  Harris has been making calls to supporters and other Democrats letting them know that he’ll not be proceeding to the August 10th statewide primary.

Harris and New Haven Alderman Jerry Garcia garned enough votes at last month’s Democratic nominating convention to force frontrunner Denise Merrill to a second ballot, where she defeated Harris, her remaining convention opponent after Garcia was knocked out as the low man on the first ballot.  The math and logistics of a primary campaign proved discouraging for Harris.  That “H” at the beginning of his last name meant he’d be on the third line of the ballot–just below Garcia.  Also, two men against one woman in a Democratic primary added another hurdle to Harris’ view of the race, which will be overshadowed by the contests for governor and lieutenant governor.

Garcia is expected to continue his campaign.