The Connecticut doctor whose wife and two daughters were killed in a 2007 home invasion had his lawyer send a statement to a handful of newspapers Wednesday announcing his decision not to run for Congress.
Dr. William A. Petit, a Republican, told reporters in October that he was considering a run for the 5th Congressional District.
At the time, he gave his chances of running against first-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty a “50-50” chance.
“I had been approached by a number of people who urged me to consider this possibility and suggested that I could make a difference if elected,” Petit said in a statement Wednesday. “I have always felt it is a great responsibility and privilege in a democracy to run for public office, and that those who care about good government need to be willing to get involved.”
Petit recently re-married and has a 10 week old son, which factored heavily into his decision not to seek elected office.
“I feel particularly blessed to be able to devote my time to them and to continue to volunteer for the Petit Family Foundation at this stage of my life,” Petit said.
Mark Greenberg is the only other announced Republican candidate running at the moment in the 5th Congressional District against Esty.
