Tom Foley, the former Ambassador to Ireland, Bush fundraiser, and Republican U.S. Senate candidate released a statement Tuesday saying he is considering entering the race for governor.
“We no longer have an incumbent Governor seeking re-election. I have had a number of conversations with people who are encouraging me to consider running for Governor because they believe I could better serve Connecticut today as Governor than as a Senator,” Foley said in an emailed statement.
Foley points out that the political landscape has changed with Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell deciding on Nov. 9 not to seek another term.
Foley said he is being encouraged to run by supporters who believe, “that as an experienced executive and someone who understands the economy and how jobs are created, I have a background and set of skills uniquely suited to addressing the very serious spending problems and other economic challenges now facing our state.”
“Over the next several days I will talk with my family and others whose judgment I trust about whether to run for Governor,” Foley said. “I plan to make a decision by next week and will announce my decision at that time. I won’t be making any further statements about my decision until then.”
In the last Quinnipiac University poll, Foley trailed his Republican opponents former U.S. Rep. Rob Simmons and former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon.
