Tong quits Conn.'s US Senate race, endorses Murphy
Tuesday - 5/1/2012, 2:52pm ET
Associated Press
EAST HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Connecticut Democrat William Tong has abandoned his bid for U.S. Senate and is throwing his support behind one-time rival Congressman Chris Murphy.
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy joined the two at a news conference Tuesday and said he too is backing Murphy.
Tong, a state representative from Stamford, had gained national attention as the only Asian-American candidate for Senate this year in the continental U.S. But he was facing tough competition from Murphy and former Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz (BY'-suh-wits).
Murphy is looking to consolidate support less than two weeks before the state's Democratic convention.
The nominee will face a Republican from a field including former Congressman Christopher Shays and former wrestling executive Linda McMahon. They are vying to fill the seat being vacated by Joe Lieberman, an independent.
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