A Republican candidate for Congress in Connecticut dropped out of the race Tuesday as voters have been heading to the polls in his major election adhering to his arrest in an assault case.

Thomas Gilmer, the social gathering-endorsed applicant, was arrested Monday evening on expenses of initial-degree unlawful restraint and second-diploma strangulation. He posted a $5,000 bond. The expenses stem from a May well 2017 attack on a former girlfriend and July 22 job interview with the sufferer, according to Wethersfield law enforcement.

“I cannot in superior conscience shift ahead in this campaign while I am concurrently pressured to distinct my title. And apparent my identify I will,” Gilmer said in a assertion.

Telephone calls and e-mail trying to get comment were being built to Gilmer by The Related Press on Tuesday.

Gilmer was arraigned Tuesday and is owing back in courtroom Sept. 23. He is not authorized to get in touch with the victim.

In accordance to the arrest warrant affidavit, law enforcement have a movie of the incident that was presented by Gilmer’s Republican opponent, Justin Anderson. It displays Gilmer “punch the sufferer in the encounter and soar on leading of her as she falls to the floor. Gilmer then attempts to choke the victim followed by a number of closed fist punches to the victim’s experience,” according to the report.

He then spots her in a chokehold and she seems to be “struggling for her existence,” in accordance to the affidavit.

Gilmer, 29, of Madison, experienced gained the party’s endorsement in the race. With voting now underway, his name could not be taken out from ballots, and a lot of presently have been cast in an election where by huge numbers are voting by absentee ballot amid the coronavirus.

If Gilmer wins following formally withdrawing, the Republican Occasion will be capable to nominate another person to get his place in the typical election, in accordance to Gabe Rosenberg, a spokesman for the Connecticut Secretary of the Condition. Votes were being continue to remaining tallied late Tuesday.

The top Republican prospect will experience U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, a Democrat who is favored to get reelection, to stand for a district spanning eastern Connecticut.

Anderson, of East Haddam, is a lieutenant colonel in the Connecticut Army National Guard who served two beat excursions in Afghanistan. On Sunday, he referred to as for Gilmer to drop out of the race, indicating he experienced proof that the endorsed applicant was associated in domestic abuse. Anderson reported the target had arrived at out to him in April with the video clip evidence.

“Instead of investigating the issues more than the past 3 months, bash leaders participated in cajoling, victim shaming and shunning Mr. Anderson, questioning his integrity,” Anderson’s marketing campaign stated in a statement. “It was Justin’s intention to deal with the allegations privately amid leaders to secure the target, on the other hand, social gathering leaders brought this out publicly to discredit Mr. Anderson for standing up and bringing this to attention.”

J.R. Romano, the condition Republican Occasion chairman, acknowledged that he was mindful of Anderson’s allegations.

“I have a primary challenger, they are running towards every single other, who comes to me with an allegation. I said, ‘Bring it to the appropriate authorities to look into,’” Romano explained.

He stated it would be up to the point out central committee to occur up with a prospect ought to Gilmer win.