Former Newtown First Selectman Eyes 5th District Race

NEWTOWN, CT --- Former First Selectman Pat Llodra is considering running for the 5th Congressional District seat vacated by U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty, the News-Times is reporting.

Llodra, a Republican, would be joining a field crowded by members of both parties. Rabbi Shaul Marshall Praver, formerly of Newtown, and former Simsbury first selectman Mary Glassman have both announced their intent to seek the Democratic nomination. Vice chair of the state Commission on Equity and Opportunity, Ruby O'Neill, and former Meriden mayor Manny Santos have thrown their hats into the Republican ring.

Llodra led Newtown through the events of the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012, and also oversaw the new Sandy Hook Elementary School open. She announced her retirement in May 2017.

Last week, Sandy Hook Promise co-founders Nicole Hockley and Mark Barden of Newtown who were considered strong contenders for the Democratic nomination, announced neither of them would run.

Fifth District politics got lit on the front burner after Esty declared she would not seek re-election amidst allegations she had mishandled a sex abuse scandal involving former staffers.