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Gonzalez Drops Out Of Race For McKinney's Westport Senate Seat

FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- Nelson Gonzalez, who had been a Republican candidate for the state Senate seat being vacated by John McKinney, announced Friday that he is ending his campaign to represent Fairfield, Newtown, Easton and parts of Weston and Westport.

Nelson Gonzalez

Nelson Gonzalez

Photo Credit: Contributed

“I entered this race to give back, to use my extensive business and financial expertise to help our great state confront the severe financial crisis that threatens us all,” Gonzalez, a Fairfield resident, said in a statement. “However, after many months of hard work, I have found that the current nomination process makes it very difficult, if not impossible, for non-politicians to have a fair shot at nomination. Unfortunately, this means that many fresh voices, notwithstanding their qualifications, are barred from contributing to politics.

“However, and most importantly, I would like to thank all those who worked so hard during the last few months on our campaign and helped to spread our message of fiscal responsibility,” Gonzalez said. “To have so many like-minded people who were willing to open their homes for meet-and-greets, volunteer to help with mailings and making calls at our campaign headquarters, and donate so much time and energy to this state was incredibly rewarding. I will always cherish the tremendous support I received.”

McKinney is seeking the Republican nomination to run for governor and is not running for re-election to the state Senate.

Gonzalez, a Cuban refugee who immigrated to the United States when he was 9, recently retired after a 35-year career at General Electric. He spent his last four years as the chief risk officer for GE Capital’s Europe, Middle East, and Africa region.

The Fairfield resident had pledged to use his practical experience and financial expertise to right Connecticut’s economy if elected to the state Senate.

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