Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz — the early front-runner for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination — announced Wednesday that she is running for attorney general instead.
Bysiewicz unveiled her plans at City Hall in her hometown of Middletown.
“The strongest factor and decision point was where I could best use my talents and expertise and energy to serve the people of the state,” she said. “And what was best for my family.”
She had been considering running for the post after Attorney General Richard Blumenthal announced his U.S. Senate campaign last week. Blumenthal’s announcement came hours after Sen. Christopher Dodd said he wouldn’t be seeking re-election.
“I can tell you that my phone started ringing off the hook after Sen. Dodd and the attorney general made their decisions,” she said. “I listened to people from all over the state within our party and outside our party, and ultimately I made the decision in the early part of this week with my family.”
Bysiewicz had a 3 percentage-point lead over other Democrats in a December Quinnipiac University poll about the party’s crowded field for governor. Those who are raising money through exploratory committees include Greenwich businessman Ned Lamont, former Stamford Mayor Dannel Malloy, state Sen. Gary LeBeau, Ridgefield First Selectman Rudy Marconi and health care activist Juan Figueroa.
Former House Speaker Jim Amann has already announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination.
Bysiewicz, 48, faces a potential Democratic primary in the attorney general’s race against former state Senate Majority Leader George Jepsen, who has set up an exploratory committee.
There are no declared Republicans yet in the race to succeed Blumenthal.
Bysiewicz said she would carry on the tradition Blumenthal has set over the past two decades. (AP)
