Norwalk : Carpenter Endorses Green

State Sen. Paul B. Carpenter (D-Norwalk) has endorsed Norwalk City Councilman Cecil N. Green in a special election to replace Carpenter, who is resigning his 33rd District seat to take a post on the state Board of Equalization.

Carpenter announced his decision to endorse Green, 62, at a fund-raising dinner for the longtime councilman Saturday. Green, one of four announced Democrats in the race, said the endorsement is a “good shot in the arm. . . . To have the blessing of the officeholder is a big boost to my campaign.”

Carpenter said he endorsed Green because he has the “best chance to win.” The timing of his endorsement surprised some. Last week, a Carpenter spokesman said the senator planned to wait and see who the Democratic caucus backed in the race before making any endorsement. Although the caucus has finished polling voters in the district to determine which Democrat has the highest name recognition, they have yet to endorse a candidate.

Gov. George Deukmejian is expected by mid-January to call a special election for late March or early April.