Skip to content
RollCall logo

Connecticut: William Tong Drops Senate Bid, Endorses Christopher Murphy

Rep. Christopher Murphy is the frontrunner in Connecticut's open-seat Senate race. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call File Photo)
Rep. Christopher Murphy is the frontrunner in Connecticut's open-seat Senate race. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call File Photo)
By Jonathan Miller
Posted May 1, 2012 at 2:38pm

Connecticut state Rep. William Tong (D) exited the Senate race today and endorsed the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination, Rep. Christopher Murphy.

Murphy also picked up the endorsement of Gov. Dan Malloy (D) and Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman (D) today.

“I am proud to endorse Chris Murphy for the United States Senate and join his team,” Tong said in a statement released by the Murphy campaign. “I’ve learned a lot about Chris in this campaign. We are both sons of Connecticut who love our home state.”

That leaves former Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz, and other less credible candidates, in a fight with Murphy for the Democratic nod. The primary is August 14.

Former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon and former Rep. Christopher Shays (R) are the top candidates battling for the GOP nomination.

Roll Call rates this open-seat race as Likely Democratic. Sen. Joe Lieberman (I) is retiring.

Recent Stories

Speaker Mike Johnson celebrates the “One Big Beautiful Bill” on July 3, 2025. More than a year later, Republicans are treating the law as a menu of achievements they can highlight.

How to serve up a year-old bill

Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., the ranking member on the House Appropriations Committee, raised the issue of cuts to medical research during the panel's June markup of the fiscal 2027 Defense spending bill. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Defense funding to research troops’ brain injuries shrank since 2025

Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is seen on the House steps in June. This month he’ll be treading familiar ground as he tries again on some priorities.

This week: Graham’s death, McConnell’s recovery add to drama

The office of Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., on Sunday afternoon sent this photo of he and his wife, Elaine Chao. Submitted by the office of Sen. Mitch McConnell (Submitted by the office of Sen. Mitch McConnell)

After weeks of questions, McConnell provides information on health

Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., talks with reporters outside the Capitol on Sept. 11, 2025.

Graham’s death upends primary season further

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., conducts a Senate Budget Committee confirmation hearing on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.

Lindsey Graham, defense hawk and four-term senator, dead at 71