Politics & Government

Boucher Exploring Run for Connecticut Governor

Republican state senator Toni Boucher says "we must stop the bleeding" caused by the Malloy administration.

By Patch Editor Dan DeBlasio

Republican state Sen. Toni Boucher returned to her roots in Naugatuck Tuesday to announce that she is exploring a possible run to be Connecticut’s next governor.

Citing what she called a dire economic climate, Boucher said she could no longer stand by while the policies of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s administration drag the state to the bottom of almost every economic ranking.

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“Connecticut has become unaffordable,” she said, during a press conference on the Borough’s Green. “Every day people tell me they are looking to move. They fear they no longer have a future here. We must stop the bleeding. I am determined to stay and fight for Connecticut’s future.”

Boucher, who currently resides in Wilton, has represented the 26th Senatorial District since 2009. The district includes the Fairfield County towns of Bethel, New Canaan, Redding, Ridgefield, Weston, Westport and Wilton. Boucher had previously served in the Connecticut House of Representatives for 12 years representing the 143rd District.

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Boucher said the state desperately needs proven leaders.

“We must raise the standard of government in Connecticut,” she said. “This means not spending more than taxpayers can afford and not borrowing more than the state can ever pay back. It means telling the truth instead of saying one thing and doing another.”

Boucher applauded the work done by her potential GOP gubernatorial challengers, saying she aims to draw a contrast between herself and Governor Malloy, not her possible challengers.

With the formation of an exploratory committee, Boucher joins fellow Republicans Mark Boughton, Mayor of Danbury, and state Sen. John McKinney, who represents the 28th District in Fairfield County.

While he has not yet publicly announced a run, it's widely believed that the main contender on the Republican side is Tom Foley, a multi-millionaire who ran and lost in 2010 against Malloy.

“They’re an outstanding group of leaders, any of whom could do a much better job running this state than the current administration.

Over the next few months Boucher plans to raise funds and assess her support within the Republican Party in order to advance beyond the exploratory stage.

Senator Boucher serves as a Deputy Minority Leader and is the Senate Ranking Member of the General Assembly’s Transportation Committee, Education Committee and its Higher Education Committee, according to her website.


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