Back in town

Just got back into town early this morning and it's going to take me a while to carch up on local news.

I think that even Stevie Wonder can see that Governor Rell is going to run again in 2006 as she's giving all the signs that she's going to seek the top job next year. I wonder why she hasn't thrown her hat into the race earlier but I expect she'll make an speech where she'll announce her decision very soon.

From the Hartford Courant

After months of resolute silence, Gov. M. Jodi Rell appears poised to announce she will run next year for the office she now holds by succession.

Rell convened a series of strategy sessions this week and offered at least one operative a role in a campaign for governor in 2006, the first concrete signs that Rell will seek election to the office she assumed July 1, 2004, upon the resignation of John G. Rowland.

On Friday afternoon after a speech in Stamford, Rell told reporters for the first time that her mind is set about 2006 - though she declined to elaborate.

"The end of summer is here, and I have made a decision. And I'll let you know as soon as possible, I promise," Rell said, according to a transcript provided by her office.

Rell, 59, previously had said she was leaning toward a run, but the governor insisted through much of the summer that she was undecided, leaving Republicans uneasy that their most popular elected official might retire.

Republican sources, who asked not to be identified for fear of offending the governor, said Rell asked Peggy Deschenes to consider being her campaign treasurer. Deschenes, who managed the successful congressional re-election campaign of Rep. Rob Simmons, R-2nd District, could not be reached for comment.