ORIGINAL STORY Tues. Aug. 27, 11:38 a.m. BREAKING NEWS: Wilton’s State Sen. Toni Boucher (R-26) today announced her plans to exploring a run for Governor of Connecticut in 2014. She declared her intention at a press event this morning in Naugatuck, announcing that she has formed an exploratory committee to consider running for the state’s top job. Details coming soon…
UPDATE Tues. Aug. 27, 12:40 p.m. A press release from the “2014 Boucher for Connecticut” office contained the text of Sen. Boucher’s announcement to explore a run for Governor of the state in 2014. It noted that she made her announcement from Naugatuck, CT, where she grew up.
She led off her comments referring to her hometown, saying: “I grew up in Connecticut at a time when it was one of the country’s most prosperous states. Now, thanks to the irresponsible policies of one-party rule, its economy ranks dead last. We have one of the heaviest tax burdens in the country, one of the worst environments for business, the nation’s highest per capita debt, dangerously unfunded pension liabilities, and the dubious distinction of being the worst state for retirement.
“I love Connecticut, and I can’t stand by while the policies of the Malloy administration and the Democratically-controlled legislature drag it to the bottom of almost every economic ranking. That’s why I am exploring the opportunity to run for governor.“Connecticut has become unaffordable. Every day people tell me they are looking to move. They fear they no longer have a future here. Punitive taxes on everything including pensions and cars, persistent high unemployment, and the lack of any hope for a turnaround in Connecticut’s economy are driving people and businesses out of the state. We must stop the bleeding. I am determined to stay and fight for Connecticut’s future.
“I love Connecticut, and I believe my background makes me uniquely qualified to turn our state around,” said Boucher. “I am committed to doing whatever I can to make sure that everyone who lives here can count on a future.
Boucher on filing with the State Election Enforcement Commission
“For the next few months, I will be raising funds and assessing support within my party in order to decide whether to advance beyond the exploratory stage.
“At the end of this exploratory journey, if I decide to be a candidate for governor it will not be a decision that I will take lightly. Connecticut’s future – our future – is at stake.”
Boucher lives in Wilton with her husband of more than 40 years. They have three children, all of whom attended the Wilton public schools, and five grandchildren.
This article was updated to reflect that Sen. Boucher has not yet declared herself a candidate for Governor, but that she has formed an exploratory committee.