"Ms. Farrell, Mr. Shays' opponent, is an excellent candidate," the editorial states. "After eight years as first selectwoman [in Westport], she has a better understanding than most legislators of the impact of federal mandates and tax policy on local government. She is smart and articulate, and her positions on the issues are extremely well thought out."

Although not knocking Shays, the famed newspaper states: "If the polls are anywhere near accurate, most Americans have concluded that the Republican Party -- particularly the Republican majority in the House of Representatives -- has failed egregiously. On Iraq. On ethics. On oversight of a reckless White House. But that conviction sometimes comes into conflict with the feeling that a good representative should be rewarded with re-election, without regard to party."

In the first Shays-Farrell contest in 2004, the newspaper backed Shays "as a rare voice for moderation within a Republican caucus that seemed bent on distracting the electorate with assaults on gay marriage, flag burning and abortion while running up the deficit, encouraging a ruinous war in Iraq and supporting a White House bent on exalting the power of the president at the expense of the Constitution."

This time the paper's editorial board decided: "Now is the time to draw the line. Mr. Shays may be a beacon of integrity, but if he is re-elected, he will vote to continue House control by a party that has repeatedly sold out the country to special-interest lobbyists."

In addition, the editorial notes that if Shays is re-elected, he will support a Republican leadership that has refused to question even the most ruinous decisions by George Bush, Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld about the conduct of American foreign policy.

It concludes: "This decision is painful, but not difficult, given the high caliber of his opponent. With due respect for Mr. Shays' service, we strongly endorse Diane Farrell for Congress."

Both candidates had visited the newspaper's editorial staff. The Times coverage of the contest has been inconsistent during the campaign and the paper hasn't reported on all of the actions and statements of Shays or Farrell, although the incumbent has received more coverage because of his travels to Iraq and subcommittee chairmanships. Times' reporters were never seen at Board of Selectmen meetings when Farrell was first selectwoman.

In addition, the paper didn't mention Phil Maymin, the Libertarian candidate who is running against Shays and Farrell. Richard Duffee, who had been the candidate of the Green Party until he dropped out and urged his backers to support Farrell, also wasn't cited in the endorsement editorial.

Earlier in the campaign, the newspaper, in a Sunday regional edition, supported state Rep. Joe Mioli (R-136) for a second term.

The Hartford Courant also has endorsed Farrell. "I'm extremely honored by the endorsement of The New York Times and the Courant," said Farrell prior to a Wednesday press briefing with former Nebraska senator Bob Kerrey. [See story, page A18].

Asked for a list of endorsements for Shays, campaign staffers didn't identify any newspapers, but provided a five-page list of about 15 individuals and organizations headed by Gov. M. Jodi Rell, the National Association of Community Health Centers, Connecticut Laborers' Political League and the League of Conservation Voters.

"Christopher Shays is exactly the kind of leader we need in Washington," Rell stated, citing his efforts in keeping government accountable or providing oversight for the 4th Congressional District. "We are lucky to have him," she concluded.

The Community Health Centers endorsement pointed out that it has awarded Shays with its highest award level for each of the past five years.

Meanwhile, Maymin announced in a press release "Maymin endorses Maymin as other candidates drop out."

"When Shays and Farrell withdraw from the race, they will have to consider who to endorse," said Maymin. "I do not mind if they endorse me. It is a free country and as a Libertarian, I believe people should be able to endorse whoever [sic] they want, so long as the candidate they are endorsing will in fact uphold the Constitution. I am the only candidate in the race to meet that requirement."