Former Rep. Christopher Shays has not endorsed a candidate in the crowded Republican primary for the Connecticut seat he lost to Democrat Jim Himes in 2008. But Shays’ wife has a dog in the 4th District fight.

Elizabeth Shays donated $500 to former state Sen. Rob Russo on Sept. 30, the last day of the third-quarter reporting period, according to federal campaign finance information.

While the former congressman, a GOP moderate who served from 1987 until this January, isn’t taking sides yet himself, there is a clear connection to Russo. A former aide to Shays, Russo also currently is his lawyer.