The 5th Congressional District includes much of northwestern Connecticut, including Danbury.
Petit, a Republican, had been considering a run but told The Courant on Wednesday that he would not be running as a candidate this year. Petit issued the following statement, according to The Courant:
"I had been approached by a number of people who urged me to consider this possibility and suggested that I could make a difference if elected," said Petit in the statement. "I have always felt it is a great responsibility and privilege in a democracy to run for public office, and that those who care about good government need to be willing to get involved.
"That said, I am newly remarried and have a 10-week-old son with whom I am spending a lot of loving time. That is my clear priority, and I feel particularly blessed to be able to devote my time to them and to continue to volunteer for the Petit Family Foundation at this stage of my life," said Petit in the statement, according to The Courant.
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