(Updated 6:49 p.m.) Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell said last week that she would make her intentions regarding her re-election campaign known after the November municipal elections, but her recent fundraising report may be an early indication of her future plans.
From July 1 to Sept. 30 Rell’s exploratory campaign raised a paltry $14,760. The amount pales in comparison to that raised by two of her potential Democratic opponents, namely Stamford Mayor Dannel Malloy and Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz, who both raised more than $100,000 during that same time period.
Rell will enter the last 12 months of the race with a little over $82,000 in cash on hand, while the two leading Democrats have more than $200,000 in the bank.
Rell’s low fundraising totals this quarter will fuel speculation amongst political insiders that she may not be interested in another run for office.
However, under the new public campaign finance system, money is not everything. In order to qualify for $3 million public grant, all Rell has to raise is $250,000.
Aside from Bysiewicz and Malloy, Rell’s other potential Democratic opponents include state Sen. Gary LeBeau, D-East Hartford, who raised $28,945 this quarter and Ridgefield First Selectman Rudy Marconi who just formed his exploratory committee and has yet to report any fundraising.
Former Speaker of the House James Amann came to the Capitol Wednesday and announced he had raised about $16,000 during the third quarter. He said he has about $63,000 to $64,000 on hand and emphasized that he is the only declared candidate for governor from either party.
