The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Drew raises $177,133 in contributions
MIDDLETOWN » Mayor Dan Drew has raised more than $170,000 in campaign contributions for his gubernatorial exploratory committee, according to a release.
Drew says his campaign has gained steady momentum, garnering support from nearly 2,000 individual donors in the six months since he launched his exploratory committee.
With state financial filings due July 10, Drew’s exploratory campaign closes the April 1-June 30 period with a second-quarter total of $71,006.80. He has collected $177,133 in contributions altogether.
“I’m incredibly grateful to all those who have contributed to
date, and to the many I’ve had the opportunity to meet since I launched my exploratory campaign,” Drew said in the release. “As I get closer to making a decision about a formal run, it’s encouraging to see the response that people have to our progressive message.
“It’s time for our state to put policies in place that focus on economic growth for the middle class, that invest in our people and communities, and that eliminate special rules for those at the very top,” he said.
Dan Drew, a Democrat, is serving his third term as mayor of Middletown. Gov. Dannel Malloy, also a Democrat, has said he does not intend to run for re-election.
Jacey Wyatt, of Branford, Lee Whitnum and Betheona Guildes-Smith are the only others from the Democratic Party who have publicly declared they are running for governor and filed such paperwork with the Secretary of the State.
Other potential candidates include Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim, former state Sen. Jonathan Harris, Comptroller Kevin Lembo, Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney, Ridgefield First Selectman Rudy Marconi, former federal prosecutor Chris Mattei and Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman. .
Among the Republicans, declared candidates for governor include former Coventry Town Council Vice Chairman Micah Welintukonis, Trumbull First Selectman Tim Herbst, Shelton Mayor Mark Lauretti, Joe Visconti, Peter Thalheim, Scott Merrell and state Rep. Prasad Srinivasan.
Other potential candidates on the Republican side include state Sen. Toni Boucher, Toni Boucher, Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton, former gubernatorial candidate Tom Foley, state Sen. Tony Hwang, House Minority Leader Themis Klarides, attorney Peter Lumaj, former Minority Leader John P. McKinney, businessman Stephen A. Obsitnik, TV personality Joe Scarborough, New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart and former U.S. Comptroller General David M. Walker.
The next gubernatorial election will be held Nov. 6, 2018.