Thomas Gilmer, Connecticut Republican candidate for the Second Congressional District, was arrested on Monday on charges of domestic violence. According to reports, the arrest forced Gilmer to officially drop out of the race.
Gilmer, who is now out on $5,000 bond, was charged with first-degree unlawful restraint and second-degree strangulation of his former girlfriend, according to The Day.
“Now I find myself in a position where I must put my family and our shared Republican values before my own interests,” Gilmer wrote. “I cannot in good conscience move forward in this campaign while I am simultaneously forced to clear my name. And clear my name I will.”
The GOP had endorsed Gilmer in his primary race. According to Republican Party Chairman J.R. Romano, Gilmer’s opponent Justin Anderson had informed him that there was a video of the violent attack on the girlfriend, which the chairman turned over to the police.
“When someone came to us with allegations, we encouraged them to go to the authorities,” Romano said Tuesday, the Hartford Courant reported. “While we believe in the due process of the law the severity and the nature of this is disheartening.”
“Gabe Rosenberg, spokesman for the Secretary of State’s Office, said Tuesday if Gilmer were to formally withdraw today, but still win the primary, the state GOP can nominate someone else to fill his place on the November ballot. As of 9:25 a.m., the state office has yet to receive an official withdrawal,” The Day reported. “If Gilmer doesn’t formally withdraw today, he will be on the ballot in November, Rosenberg said.”
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