Independent City Council hopeful Tom Ragaini pulled out of the race Wednesday.
Ragaini, a former Democratic city councilor, said he withdrew from the 2nd District contest because “I just don’t want to have any hard feelings” within the Democratic Party.
Ragaini, 54, said his priority is to help the party’s mayoral candidate, Art Ward, get elected on Nov. 6.
“All my heart will be going to helping Art Ward become the next mayor,” Ragaini said.
He said that he “tossed and turned” for a couple of days thinking about whether to drop out of the council race before deciding Wednesday that he shouldn’t continue his independent bid.
Remaining in the 2nd District race are Democrats Kevin McCauley and Bruce Lydem, Republicans Ken Cockayne and Joe Geladino, and independent Mark Blaschke.
Ragaini said that he met with “a lot of Democrats in town” who urged him to pull out to help repair the “little split” in the party that developed during a tough mayoral primary.
“Party unity is the most important thing,” Ragaini said.
Ragaini represented the 3rd District for two years beginning in 1997. He lost a reelection bid in 2001 when Al Myers upset him in a primary.
Ragaini has remained active in Democratic politics. He serves as one of the city’s park commissioners.
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Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
10 comments:
If he cared so much about the Democrats he wouldn't of filed as an Independent candidate in the first place.
McCauley should have pulled out and Ragaini should have stayed.
I think what Tom did was admirable and he put the party first. Now they have all truly come together regardless of what the Republicans think. Good for you, Tom. You did the right thing and we all respect you for it. It will not be forgotten. Your hard work and dedication will be definitely needed.
Yea, Tom Ragaini is a real hero.
Sarcasm is uncalled for. Of course he's not a hero, but he did the right thing. I'm sure it's the Republicans again posing as Dems in an attempt to make it seem as though the Dems aren't getting along. Remember this ... THE DEMS AREN'T BUYING IT! They can see through the games.
Why the heck was this the big story in the Press today? Are you guys hurting for news, Steve? It seems like there were other, more worthwhile articles in the paper.
Ragaini is always the big story. He's top dog, don't you know?
Steve, am I missing something?
Tom Ragaini represents Bristol on the Democratic State Central Committee, a position that the DTC elected him to. Running for City Council as an Independent candidate was the most asinine thing he could have done. Ragaini did absolutely nothing when he originally served on the City Council; why would anyone possibly think he would do anything differently this time around?
Who were those ladies Ragaini was with at the parade?
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