Facing a tough primary battle in his bid to become the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate, Samuel Caligiuri announced Tuesday that he will switch races, leaving the Senate campaign to run for the 5th Congressional district.

Before he faces off against Democratic incumbent Christopher Murphy, however, Caligiuri must secure the Republican nomination against a crowded field of GOP candidates including Justin Bernier, Bill Evans, Kie Westby and Mark Greenberg.

Caligiuri, 43, an attorney who is serving his second term in the state senate representing Southington, Wolcott and parts of Cheshire and Waterbury, said he made his decision after concluding that there are other Republicans "in a better position" to unseat longtime incumbent U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd, who has grown vulnerable over the last year.

A Nov. 12 Quinnipiac University poll of registered Republicans placed Caligiuri as the least likely of the five potential Dodd challengers to win a GOP primary if it were held at that time. At the top of the poll were former Republican Congressman Rob Simmons (28 percent) and Linda McMahon (17 percent), chief executive officer of World Wrestling Entertainment.

But Caligiuri, of Waterbury, said the poll results had nothing to do with his decision. Rather, Caligiuri said he set his sights on ousting Murphy after being convinced there are strong candidates who could defeat Dodd. Caligiuri said he's received almost daily calls from Republicans urging him to get into the 5th District race because he is the strongest candidate for the district.

"In recent weeks, I've grown increasingly concerned that Chris Murphy's record is every bit as bad as Chris Dodd's," he said. "I think I am in the best position to defeat him."

Caligiuri portrayed Murphy, who won his second two-year term last year, as a lackey of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and said he would work to reverse costly Democratic decisions. Caligiuri said he would call for a repeal of the stimulus programs, a cut in government spending and tax cuts as ways to improve the economy.

The Murphy campaign did not comment directly on Caligiuri's announcement, but responded to the news with its own statement on the economy. "Right now Chris is focused on working together with Gov. Rell, the state legislature and the rest of the congressional delegation to get our economy moving again and fixing our health care system, not on a political race that is a year away," said Murphy spokeswoman Kristen Bossi.

Murphy, she said, was in Torrington Tuesday to talk about redevelopment plans that will create jobs.

Caligiuri's switch drew a more fiery response from state Democratic Party Communications Director Colleen Flanagan, who declared in a written statement that he is "shopping around for a campaign to run like most people shop around for the best deal on a used car."

But Caligiuri said his goals will be the same, regardless of the change in venues.

"Ultimately, I'm going to fight for all the issues that I would have in the Senate, just in a different chamber," he said.

But until the GOP convention May 21-22, Caligiuri and the other candidates will be scrambling to win Republican support. The nomination will be decided by hundreds of Republican delegates from throughout the district. A primary may be held following the convention.

One of Caligiuri's most prominent GOP contenders will be Bernier, a former U.S. Navy intelligence officer in Afghanistan who has been campaigning for the last eight months. In August, Bernier spoke at the Republican National Committee's National Meeting in Wyoming.

Bernier, of Plainville, said he will continue his strategy of reaching out to town committees and grassroots Republicans throughout the district. "We're going to continue to focus on the people and families of western Connecticut," he said.

Bernier said he wants to control federal spending and reform health care in a way that does not raise government costs.

Caligiuri said he will be working hard to make his case to area Republicans. He said he is already starting his 5th District campaign with a lot of support, stating he has the endorsement of the majority of state senators in the district. Caligiuri's state senate territory falls within the district, except for Southington.

But Caligiuri's GOP contenders have had a head start in securing support. Cheshire Republican Town Chairwoman Marilyn Bartoli, for instance, said she will continue to support Bernier even though she also believes Caligiuri is a good candidate.

Having a number of strong candidates for a single position, she said, shows that the Republican Party is strong during this election cycle.

Caligiuri supporter Alfred C. Adinolfi, a former state representative from Cheshire, said he is the best candidate for the district because he has the most experience.

Connecticut Republican Party Chairman Chris Healy said he urged Caligiuri to run for the 5th District because the Dodd race was becoming crowded. Healy said Caligiuri would be a strong candidate for the House, but added that the encouragement was not an endorsement since there are numerous Republican hopefuls.

"We're going to have a spirited competition in the 5th," Healy said, "and whoever wins is going to be very competitive and beat Chris Murphy."

The 5th Congressional District includes Meriden.

gmoore@record-journal.com

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