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Gov. M. Jodi Rell announced Monday at 5 p.m. that she will not seek re-election as governor in 2010.
"After much soul-searching, and discussion with my family, I have decided not to seek re-election next year," Rell said in her Capitol office during a hastily called press conference.
She said it has been "an honor" to serve. She cited accomplishments including ethics and campaign finance reform, noting that in 2004 she "came in at a troubling time in our state's history."
That was a reference to her ascension from lieutenant governor on July 1, 2004, after the resignation of former Gov. John G. Rowland during a corruption scandal that later sent him to federal prison for 10 months.
Rell began the startling news conference that broke the calm of a Monday evening at the Capitol with a typically folksy thank you to those who participated in a holiday food drive in recent days. She walked into the room with a smile on her face and no one trailing her to the lectern, making it seem that it could be just another announcement. That continued when she talked about the food drive, but then she switched gears.
"The second thing I'd like to do is I want to share with you the news that, after much soul searching and discussion with my family, I have decided not to seek re-election next year."
Those few words will set off a major scramble among Republican hopefuls including Fedele, who already has said he would seek the governorship if Rell decided against running, House Republican leader Lawrence Cafero of Norwalk, and Senate Republican leader John McKinney of Southport.
Meanwhile, the race for the Democratic nomination will heat up because now many more Democrats will believe they have a chance to win in 2010. Democratic hopefuls include longtime Stamford Mayor Dannel Malloy, Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz; former U.S. Sen. candidate Ned Lamont; former House Speaker James Amann; and state Sen. Gary Lebeau.
Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele said that Rell has told him privately that she will support him -- even if there are other Republican candidates in the race. Fedele reiterated that he will run for governor.
"After much soul-searching, and discussion with my family, I have decided not to seek re-election next year," Rell said in her Capitol office during a hastily called press conference.
She said it has been "an honor" to serve. She cited accomplishments including ethics and campaign finance reform, noting that in 2004 she "came in at a troubling time in our state's history."
That was a reference to her ascension from lieutenant governor on July 1, 2004, after the resignation of former Gov. John G. Rowland during a corruption scandal that later sent him to federal prison for 10 months.
Rell began the startling news conference that broke the calm of a Monday evening at the Capitol with a typically folksy thank you to those who participated in a holiday food drive in recent days. She walked into the room with a smile on her face and no one trailing her to the lectern, making it seem that it could be just another announcement. That continued when she talked about the food drive, but then she switched gears.
"The second thing I'd like to do is I want to share with you the news that, after much soul searching and discussion with my family, I have decided not to seek re-election next year."
Those few words will set off a major scramble among Republican hopefuls including Fedele, who already has said he would seek the governorship if Rell decided against running, House Republican leader Lawrence Cafero of Norwalk, and Senate Republican leader John McKinney of Southport.
Meanwhile, the race for the Democratic nomination will heat up because now many more Democrats will believe they have a chance to win in 2010. Democratic hopefuls include longtime Stamford Mayor Dannel Malloy, Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz; former U.S. Sen. candidate Ned Lamont; former House Speaker James Amann; and state Sen. Gary Lebeau.
Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele said that Rell has told him privately that she will support him -- even if there are other Republican candidates in the race. Fedele reiterated that he will run for governor.
