State Rep. Jonathan Steinberg Drops Out of First Selectman Race

State Rep. Jonathan Steinberg will not be running for first selectman of Westport this November.

Steinberg, a Democrat who represents the 136th Assembly District, won't be entering his name at the July 18 Democratic Town Committee meeting where candidates will be formally endorsed for the municipal election in November, Steinberg told Westport News Thursday.

Steinberg was re-elected to his second consecutive term as state representative in November.

He said he's dropping out of this fall's race because he knew he wouldn't win.

"It became clear I wasn't going to prevail and I didn't see any real benefit to going through with a vote when the outcome was pretty much established," Steinberg said in an interview with Westport News.

He also said that he intends to run for re-election as state representative in 2014.

First Selectman Gordon Joseloff announced he was not pursuing a third term in January, leaving the race open.

Board of Finance member Helen Garten was recommended by a Democratic Town Committee search committee to be the Democratic first selectman candidate. District 3 Delegate to the Representative Town Meeting Melissa Kane is looking to be Garten's running mate as the selectman candidate, according to the Westport News.

Jim Marpe is expected to be the Republican nominee and Chairman of the Board of Finance Avi Kaner has been recommended to be Marpe's running partner, according to the Westport News.