By Jordan Fenster, Staff Reporter

Washington’s John Millington has officially jumped ship.

The former Time, Inc. executive and longtime local Democratic leader will hold a fundraiser for Elizabeth Esty, and he said it was the indictment of Chris Donovan’s finance director that convinced him.

John Millington / Contributed photoAt the time of the arrest, Millington said he would not support another candidate. Then Braddock was indicted.That indictment, released by the U.S. Attorney’s office, did not implicate Donovan directly, though it placed more people associated with the Donovan campaign close to the allegedly illegal activity.“I like Chris. He’s a good politician,” Millington said. “I’m so sorry he got his skirts dirty.”Combine that information with some personal attention from Esty, and Millington was convinced.The fundraiser, if he can lock down attendees for a “small to medium sized gathering,” will be held Aug. 4.“I talked at length with Elizabeth. She’s very persuasive,” Millington said.According to the Washington, Conn. Democratic Town Committee’s website, Millington has been “a potent, if regrettably unheralded, force behind many successful political campaigns including the election of Governor Lowell Weicker and Congressman Chris Murphy.”Andrew Roraback

He’s also donated $500 to Andrew Roraback, who he called “a friend,” and held a fundraiser for the Republican six months ago.

“I’m very fond of Andrew Roraback,” he said.

Now 85, Millington said he would support Donovan should he win the Aug. 14 primary. Donovan will face Esty and Dan Roberti, for whom Millington also has positive feelings.

Dan Roberti, candidate for Connecticut Congress 5th District.

“He’s young, he’s inexperienced, but he has balls, he moves,” Millington said of Roberti. “I think he’s a fine young man.”