The Capitol Report panel discusses Mark Boughton’s formation of an exploratory committee looking into a run for governor in 2014 and Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s decision to endorse Toni Harp in the New Haven mayoral race.
The 49-year-old Boughton said he intends to seek public financing for his campaign. To get that state money, he must raise $250,000 on his own. As an official candidate, Boughton would have to raise that amount from donations of less than $100. He expects to make a decision by January if he will stay in the race.
Malloy praised Harp’s focus on crime prevention and improving New Haven’s school system. He also praised her work as the Senate’s appropriations chairwoman through an economic downturn that has strained Connecticut’s budget.
“Let me be very clear: New Haven needs a woman mayor and her name is Toni Harp,” Malloy said, as supporters broke into applause. If she is elected in November, Harp would be the first woman to hold New Haven’s top political job.