Community Corner

Former Vernon Mayor Suspends U.S. Senate Campaign

Jason McCoy said he will donate campaign funds to the state Republicans.

Former Vernon Mayor Jason McCoy on Tuesday said he will "formally suspend" his campaign for the U.S. Senate.

McCoy had announced he was exploring his options in Washington just six months ago during the same news conference in which he announced he was not seeking a third term as Vernon's chief executive.

McCoy said he will donate all excess campaign funds to the Connecticut Republican Party. He said he had raised about $5,000.
 
“Upon confirming with party officials, we have decided that the best way to help Connecticut would be to donate all excess campaign funds to the Connecticut Republicans,” McCoy said. “I hope that the donation to the Connecticut Republican Party will help elect fiscally responsible candidates because Connecticut’s future depends on it.”

 When he announced his intentions in July, McCoy surprised state Republican Party Chairman Jerry Labriola and State Rep. Timothy Ackert, who thought they were at a re-election announcement for Vernon.

But they all seemed on the same page lately. McCoy had a campaign Facebook page and was ready to mail out campaign literature just before the October winter storm.

That turned out to be an omen. McCoy not only stopped the mail, but said it all showed him needs to concentrate on his family and law practice. One thing that had upset him recently was missing a travel team hockey tournament his son was playing in while tending to storm matters in Vernon.

“I would like to thank all of the people and groups who have supported me and my family during my time while serving the Town of Vernon and as a candidate for United States Senate," McCoy said. "It has been an honor, and I am very humbled. I thank you for your continued support, and I look forward to serving you again in the future. For now, I am happy to get back to my private life practicing law and spending time with my family.”

McCoy had been criticized locally for taking federally funded storm pay during last winter's snow emergency and Hurricane Irene and the October winter storm.

He said his Senate decision "had nothing to do with it." 

McCoy said he will continue to pay attention to local, state and federal politics.

“As the race for Connecticut’s Senate seat carries out, I will be carefully watching the other candidates,” McCoy said. “In the near future, I look forward to endorsing and lending my support to the candidate that I believe is the strongest to win the U.S. Senate race and the best to represent and serve the people of Connecticut.”


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