Sam Caligiuri isn't running for Congress next year and his fellow Republican, Mark Greenberg, sees an opportunity in that. One day after Caligiuri's announcement, Greenberg, who announced his candidacy just weeks after the 2010 election, made a play for Caligiuri supporters,
"Sam and I have gotten to know each other fairly well during our run for Congress in 2010, and I believe that we have a mutual respect for each other and each other's ideals,'' Greenberg wrote in an email to supporters. "In fact, at debates we would rarely disagree on the issues, and I often felt that while listening to Sam I was hearing myself with regard to fiscal conservatism and righting the ship that had turned so quickly to the left. Of course, Sam was more polished in his speeches than I was, and I felt that I learned a lot from listening to him.
"I hope to be able to call upon Sam for his insight and advice so that we Republicans may seize this opportunity and take back the seat that was ours for so long."
Greenberg and Justin Bernier have both announced their intention to seek the GOP nomination for the 5th District seat currently held by Chris Murphy, With Murphy opting to run for U.S. Senate, the field in the 5th is expected to be a crowded one on both sides of the aisle.