GOP Woos Petit to Run for 5th District Seat

By Ted Glanzer

The Connecticut Republican Party has held talks with Dr. William Petit, who survived a horrific Cheshire home invasion in 2007, hoping to convince him to run as the GOP candidate for the 5th Congressional District, according to the Hartford Courant.

Since the home invasion and subsequent trials and convictions of the two attackers, Petit formed the Petit Family Foundation in memory of his wife and two daughters who were killed.

The home invasion, referred to as the state’s most-publicized crime, and his activism, which includes his lobbying to keep the state’s death penalty on the books, has made Petit a household name.

The Courant reported that “state Republican Party Chairman Jerry Labriola confirmed Thursday the talks with Petit and said that he has had "informal discussions with prospective candidates on a regular basis.’”

NBC Connecticut reported an Associated Press report that Petit was “considering” the offer.

In addition to his efforts concerning the death penalty, Petit engaged in fundraising efforts for Lisa Wilson-Foley in her 2010 bid for the 5th District.

The 5th District seat is currently held by Democrat Elizabeth Esty of Cheshire. She is currently finishing her first term as Congresswoman.