Date: Fri 30-Jul-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

politics-Rowland-Nielsen

Full Text:

Rowland Endorses Nielsen In Fifth District

Governor John Rowland is endorsing Mark Nielsen for US Congress in the Fifth

District. The statement was released this week by the Connecticut Republican

party office in Hartford.

The governor said he believes the Danbury resident is the candidate with the

best chance to put the Fifth District back in the Republican column.

"Mark has proven himself to be an excellent candidate, who cares about the

future of the Fifth District and has a vision that matches the concerns of the

people who live in the district," Gov Rowland said.

From a political point of view, the governor said he has always believed a

strong candidate who comes close in his first run for higher office "deserves

a second chance." In 1998, Nielsen came within about 2,000 votes of defeating

incumbent Democrat Jim Maloney in one of the nation's closest election races.

Mr Nielsen thanked Gov Rowland for his unprecedented early endorsement. "The

early backing of the governor is a tremendous boost to my campaign. I

appreciate his confidence in me and I intend to work very hard over the next

year and half to wage a winning campaign. The voters are looking for new

leadership in Washington and I hope to provide it," he said.