Darien's David Orner Announces Congressional Bid

Darien's David Orner will seek his party's nomination to challenge incumbent Congressman Jim Himes (D-CT4) in next year's election, the Republican announced Thursday.

Orner, a former Navy intelligence officer and director at CIT in Norwalk, said in a statement that he would "reach across the political spectrum to find the best, most achievable solutions for the problems facing our state and country."

“Like so many of you, I am deeply worried about the future of our country and what that means for our children, yours and mine," Orner said. "With unemployment stuck near 9 percent, $4 trillion in new debt in the last three years, and the first ever downgrade of the US sovereign credit rating, it’s clear that things just aren’t working in Washington."

“Three years ago, Jim Himes went to Washington promising to represent our interests. Since that time, things have only gotten worse," Orner added. "He has been a reliable and almost undeviating vote for the ineffective policies of the Obama administration. These are the policies that have led to growing government spending, record budget deficits and persistent unemployment."

“I am running for Congress because I believe that returning America to a path of growth and prosperity will take someone who understands how we got into this problem and someone who is in sync with the people of Connecticut in order to best represent them," he said.

Orner has previously worked at ING, CIBC World Markets, and KPMG in Stamford. He served ten years with the U.S. Navy, including assignments with the USS America (CV-66), Atlantic Intelligence Command, and Naval Special Warfare Unit Two.

David and his wife of 19 years, Margaret, live in Darien with their sons, David Jr., 13, and Andrew, 11.