Hilda Santiago Will Not Primary for SOTS Nomination.

This is not how it was to end. State Representative Hilda Santiago started the race for the Democratic nomination for secretary of the state as the early favorite. The popular Meriden Democrat is well-known beyond her district. She had the support of U.S. Senator Christopher Murphy and other party notables.

Santiago fizzled on the campaign trail while her House colleague from Norwalk, Stephanie Thomas, sizzled. At the party’s state convention on May 6th, Santiago was out maneuvered by the surging Thomas and was eliminated at the end of the second ballot.

Few challengers win primaries in Connecticut and there was no sign Santiago was enjoying a post-convention revival. After a week and a half of post-convention consultations and contemplation, Santiago announced late Wednesday that the is over for her. She is sadder but wiser in the ways of state politics among her fellow Democrats.

Published May 18, 2022.