WETHERSFIELD - Outgoing Wethersfield House Rep Russ Morin is endorsing Amy Bello in the Democratic nomination race for the right to run for his 28th Assembly District seat.

       Bello, a former Mayor and current Council Minority Leader, made the announcement on Facebook last week.

       â€�"Russ has been such a fighter for Wethersfield and I’m honored to have his support,” Bello said over the phone Saturday. â€�"I’m proud to be working with him for the next several months.”

       Bello said that Morin is co-chairing her campaign alongside Democratic Town Committee (DTC) member Martha Conneely. We reached out to Morin last week for additional comment and will update the story when we hear back.

       â€�"I think we agree on a lot of the issues,” Bello said. â€�"I’m grateful to have two dedicated DTC members in my corner.”

       Bello announced her candidacy a few weeks ago, unveiling a platform that backs debt-free community college, investments in green energy, and measures to mitigate rising healthcare costs.

       â€�"I have had the opportunity to work closely with Amy over the past few years on issues that affect our town and it is clear to me that she possesses the necessary skills to serve us best in Hartford,” Morin wrote on his Facebook page. â€�"While Amy is passionate, compassionate and extremely bright, I have also witnessed a fierce determination and a work ethic that is second to none. Amy will continue to fight for us at the state level just as she has done locally, whether it be education funding, affordable healthcare, the environment or partnering with the business community.”

       Bello and fellow nomination contender Paul Montinieri – a former Mayor and DTC Chair – both pledged to battle for Wethersfield’s fair share of municipal aid revenue.

       Whether they will battle beyond the May convention for the Democratic slot on the November ballot is yet to be seen, though Montinieri has stated that he will not be petitioning for a primary if he is not endorsed by the Party.

       â€�"If it’s 41-40 Amy, she’s got my endorsement,” Montinieri said.

       Bello admitted uncertainty as to whether, should the roles be reversed, she would attempt to force a primary.

       â€�"It would certainly be something I’d consider – I’d have to weigh all the factors,” she said.

       As the two candidates push toward qualification for state public campaign financing – Montinieri cleared the fundraising minimum hurdle last week and is now looking to accrue 150 town resident donors – the road there, like most things, is getting complicated by the ever-developing COVID-19 situation.

       On Thursday Montinieri announced the postponement of two fundraisers as the state imposed restrictions on large gatherings in the name of health expert-recommended social distancing.

       â€�"By early April, when we have greater clarity on the spread of this virus, we will reassess things and hopefully by then we can begin to come together again in large groups,” Montinieri wrote on his Facebook page. â€�"But let’s take a pause for a moment first and do everything we can to beat this virus.”

       Bello’s first fundraiser was planned for March 25. She said Saturday that she’s also in the process of reassessing – and exploring her options for holding a virtual live event.

       â€�"Obviously given what’s going on it wouldn’t be appropriate to hold any kind of gathering,” she said. â€�"Everything’s in flux.”