HARTFORD, CT – Republican Mark Greenberg, who has run three unsuccessful bids for the 5th Congressional District, filed paperwork Tuesday to explore a run for state Comptroller in 2018.
“Too many years of one-party rule by the Democrats in Hartford has left our state’s economy in tatters,” Greenberg, a real estate developer who resides in Litchfield, said.
Greenberg is the first Republican to express an interest in the position, which has been held for the past six years by Kevin Lembo, a Democrat from Guilford. Lembo is considered a possible candidate for governor in 2018.
Greenberg was last a candidate in the 5th District in 2014 losing to U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty. At the time of that loss, Greenberg said he was done being a candidate.
Greenberg founded a mobile telecommunications company and a New York City real estate management firm and runs a no-kill animal shelter in Bloomfield.
In his three Congressional races, Greenberg spent more than $4 million of his own money.
But Greenberg, if he runs, would not be self-funding his campaign this time, according to his spokesman Chris Cooper.
“He’ll be using the Citizens Election Program,” Cooper said Tuesday.
The program is a voluntary program which provides full public financing to qualified candidates for statewide offices. To participate, candidates much agree to abide by certain guidelines, including contribution and expenditure limits – and disclosure requirements.
Asked if Lembo’s possible run for governor influenced Greenberg’s decision to consider a run for Comptroller, Cooper said no.
“His decision to run has nothing to do with his (Lembo’s) plans,” Cooper said.