Former U.S. Ambassador to Ireland Tom Foley announced Thursday he is dropping out of the crowded race to challenge U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd and, instead, running for the seat being vacated next year by Gov. M. Jodi Rell.
In a speech to supporters in Hartford, Foley said that hundreds of people asked him to run after Rell, also a Republican, decided not to seek another term despite her high approval ratings.
Foley was the second Republican in two days to announce his candidacy.Â
Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele announced Wednesday that he is seeking the GOP nomination for governor.
The Democratic field for governor is crowded, and the Democratic Governors Association has said it is making Connecticut one of its top priorities in the 2010 elections.
