Roberti suspends appearances following mom's death

NEW MILFORD, Conn. (AP) — Democrat Dan Roberti has suspended campaign appearances through Tuesday's 5th-District Congressional primary following the death of his mother.

The campaign says 60-year-old Kathleen Lenihan, a long-time Bridgeport school teacher, died Saturday after a six-year battle with skin cancer. Her funeral is scheduled for Wednesday in Saddle River, N.J.

Roberti is involved in a three-way primary race with state House Speaker Chris Donovan and former State Rep. Elizabeth Esty. They are seeking the Democratic nomination for the seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy, who is running for U.S. Senate.

Erik Williams, Roberti's campaign manager, says the campaign will continue despite Roberti's absence from the campaign trail, and his staff is "more dedicated than ever and committed to his success."

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