The field of
potential candidates for governor has grown to more than two dozen Democrats, Republicans and those with other affiliations.
Hartford — The list of people who want to become Connecticut’s next governor continues to grow.
Oz Griebel, the outgoing head of a Hartford business group, announced Wednesday that he and Newtown attorney Monte Frank are forming the first independent ticket in the 2018 race.
Griebel joins more than two dozen Democrats, Republicans and other candidates who are officially “exploring” a possible run for governor or have already declared themselves as contenders. Meanwhile, others are still considering whether to join what’s become the most crowded field for Connecticut governor in recent years, sparked by news that Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy isn’t seeking a third term.
That roster includes people like House Republican Leader Themis Klarides, of Derby, and Democratic businessman Ned Lamont, of Greenwich, who previously ran for U.S. Senate and governor. Both have yet to announce their intentions.
“Clearly, there is going to be a lively election,” said former Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz. Now an attorney with her own private practice in Middletown, Bysiewicz said she plans to decide early next year whether she’ll seek the Democratic nomination for governor or possibly pursue a bid for the state Senate.
Some highlights of the race so far:
With Election Day less than a year away, some of the better-known potential candidates have already stepped aside.
Democratic Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman, Malloy’s political partner for the past seven years, said in November she wants to spend more time with her family, ending months of speculation about whether she would jump in to the race.
Also, State Comptroller Kevin Lembo surprised many of his fellow Democrats in August when he announced he was dropping his bid for governor and instead running for re-election as comptroller.
Bysiewicz, who has been campaigning for a state senate district, said Democratic leaders asked her to consider running after Lembo and Wyman dropped out of contention. If she decides to run, Bysiewicz would be one of the better known Democratic candidates. Besides serving as Secretary of the State, Bysiewicz previously ran for U.S. Senate and Attorney General.
Meanwhile, former federal prosecutor and Democrat Chris Mattei this month announced he was switching from a gubernatorial run to a bid for attorney general after Attorney General George Jepsen said he won’t seek re-election.
The list of people seeking Connecticut’s top office or exploring the idea is wide-ranging, including political newcomers, veteran state legislators and municipal officials.
Many are already busy trying to raise the $250,000 in small contributions needed to possibly qualify for public campaign financing. Some hope their ability to raise the funds quickly will help distinguish them from other candidates in the pack before next year’s party conventions.
The Republicans will endorse their gubernatorial candidate at the May 11-12 convention, while the Democrats will tap their candidate on May 18-19. Primaries could follow.
Griebel and Frank said they don’t plan to seek public financing for their race.
— 9-10 a.m., East Lyme Senior Center, 37 Society Road; 30 classes for $60; $65 non-residents; stop by to register (860) 739-5859.
— East Lyme Senior Center, 37 Society Road; 9:30-10:30 a.m. or 10:30-11:30 a.m.; also Friday; 24 classes for $36; $41 non-residents; stop by to register or to try out the class; (860) 739-5859.
— 9-10 a.m., East Lyme Senior Center, 37 Society Road; 24 classes for $48; $53 non-residents; also Friday; call to register (860) 739-5859.
— 9:30 a.m.-noon, East Lyme Senior Center, 37 Society Road; bring supplies; free; call to register (860) 739-5859.
— 12:30-2:30 p.m., East Lyme Senior Center, 37 Society Road; bring colored pencils; free; stop by to register (860) 739-5859.
— 1-2 p.m., East Lyme Senior Center, 37 Society Road; 24 classes for $24; $29 non-residents; call to register (860) 739-5859.
— 10:30-11:15 a.m., East Lyme High School, 30 Chesterfield Road; 24 classes for $24; $29 non-residents; call to register (860) 739-5859.
— 6-8 p.m., Safe Futures, 34 Jay St., New London; free; (860) 447-0366.
— 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Groton Senior Center, 102 Newtown Road; call (860) 326-9773 or email: jesse. james@prodigy.net.
— 5:30-7 p.m., Center for Hospice Care, 227 Dunham St., Norwich; 7-week support group; also held at: St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Church, 10 Huntington St., New London; free; call to register (860) 848-5699.
— 27 Chase St.; 9 a.m., shopping at McQuades; 9:15-10:15 a.m., strength & balance; 10:15-11:15 a.m., zumba lite; 11:30 a.m., lunch; noon-1:30 p.m., bingo; (860) 599-3285.
— 5:30-6:30 p.m., Pathways, Lower Level, 410 Salem Tpke., Bozrah; weigh in and meeting; first meeting is free.
— 7 p.m., Niantic Community Church, 170 Pennsylvania Ave.; (860) 772-4827.
— 7 p.m., RAFA, 135 Garfield Ave., New London; (860) 447-0055.
— 15 Rope Ferry Road; 9 a.m., open doors; 11:45 a.m., cafe lunch with $3 donation and reservation; (860) 444-5839.
— 7:30-8:30 p.m., St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 15 Pearl St., Mystic.
— 7:30 p.m., United Congregational Church, 9 Castle Hill Road, Pawcatuck.
— 7:30 p.m., Huntington Street Baptist Church, 29 Huntington St., New London.
— 7 p.m., St. Ann’s Episcopal Church, 82 Shore Road, Old Lyme.
— 7:30 p.m., Old Mystic Fire District Hall, 115 Welles Road, Mystic.
— 10 a.m., Huntington Street Baptist Church, 29 Huntington St., New London.
— 10 a.m., Public Library of New London, 63 Huntington St.; free; (860) 447-1411.
— 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Groton Public Library, 52 Newtown Road; open hours for assistance in the Tech Center; no appt. necessary; (860) 4416750.
— 27 Chase St.; 9:30-11:30 a.m., line dancing; noon-3 p.m., dominos; 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Walmart shopping; (860) 599-3285.
— 10-11:30 a.m., East Lyme Senior Center, 37 Society Road; bring basic supplies; free; call to register (860) 739-5859.
— 6:30 p.m., Estuary Council of Seniors, 220 Main St., Old Saybrook; doors open at 5:30 p.m.; $12; all ages; (860) 388-1611.
— 8:30-10 a.m., Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center, 27 Chase St.; socialize and receive information regarding veterans benefits and services through state and federal agencies and programs; (860) 425-6617.
— 15 Rope Ferry Road; 9 a.m., open doors; 11:45 a.m., cafe lunch with $3 donation and reservation; (860) 444-5839.
— 2 p.m., Waterford Public Library, 49 Rope Ferry Road; www.waterfordpubliclibrary.org; free; (860) 444-5805.
— 6-7:30 p.m., Christ Episcopal Church, 78 Washington St., Norwich; Grief Recovery After a Substance Passing; call to register (860) 373-2236 or email: zp.grasp@gmail. com; www.grasphelp.org.
— 7 p.m., Union Baptist Church, 119 High St., Mystic.
— 6-7 p.m., L+M Hospital, 365 Montauk Ave., New London.
— 7:30-9 p.m., Temple Emanu-El, 29 Dayton Road, Waterford; email: etssdv@ gmail.com.
— 7:30 p.m., Mohegan Congregational Church, 27 Church Lane, Uncasville.
— 9:30 a.m., Public Library of New London, 63 Huntington St.; sponsor a book for the library and we will add a book plate to the book; free; (860) 447-1411.
— 6-7 p.m., Grace United Methodist Church, 10 Park Ave., Westerly.
— 7:30 p.m., St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 15 Pearl St., Mystic.
— 6 p.m., L+M Hospital, 365 Montauk Ave., New London.
— 7 p.m., Roger’s Lake Clubhouse, 75 Rogers Lake Trail, Old Lyme.