Fifth CD: Cope In, Stango Out for GOP Nomination.

Southbury Republican Joseph Stango will give a miss to the race for the Republican nomination for the House of Representatives in Connecticut’s Fifth Congressional District. Career and family commitments are keeping the Medicaid reformer out of the race to oppose incumbent Democrat Elizabeth Esty.

Stango’s statement concluded with an endorsement of Sherman First Selectman Clay Cope, calling him “an ideal candidate” for the seat. Cope kicks off his candidacy Wednesday at noon in Danbury. He’ll be joined by beloved Newtown First Selectman Patricia Llodra, popular former state Senator David Cappiello, veteran Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton, three-time 5th CD hopeful Mark Greenberg, and a host of other Republican elected officials from the western part of the sprawling district.