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Connecticut: Shays’ Wife Takes Sides in Race for His Old Seat

By Shira Toeplitz
Posted October 26, 2009 at 6:00pm

Former Rep. Christopher Shays (R) may not have endorsed a candidate in the crowded GOP primary for his former seat, but his wife has a dog in the fight.

Elizabeth Shays donated $500 to former state Sen. Rob Russo (R) on Sept. 30, according to federal campaign finance information. Russo is a former Shays aide and also currently his lawyer.

He is one of four candidates running for the GOP nomination and the opportunity to face freshman Rep. Jim Himes (D) next year. State Sen. Dan Debicella; Will Gregory, a former campaign staffer to Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and businessman Rob Merkle are also running for the GOP nomination.

Himes defeated Shays last cycle, 51 percent to 48 percent.

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