The Advocate

The ADVOCATE Fedele says he will run for governor in 2010 if Rell bows out By Brian Lockhart Stamford Advocate Updated: 08/05/2009 STAMFORD -- Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele said while he expects his boss, Gov. M. Jodi Rell, to seek re-election next year, he is ready to step into the top spot if she bows out. “If Governor Rell decides not to do it, I will be the Republican candidate in 2010,” Fedele, who grew up in and still lives in Stamford, said Wednesday. Rumors continue to swirl around Rell’s political future. She formed an exploratory committee to weigh a reelection bid, but has continually declined to say whether she intends to run in 2010 until after the budget battle is behind her. The uncertainty about Rell’s political future has lead to speculation that two other prominent Republicans may be waiting to launch gubernatorial campaigns should she not seek reelection.

“I think our state is run incredibly well by Gov. [M. Jodi] Rell and I support her tremendously, but if I have an opportunity to stay at home, be the father I want to be with my kids, and help people out in Connecticut in public office, that’s something I’ll look at,” he said.

as their own,” Rose said. “Lieutenant governors are on the ticket with the governor and then, for all intents and purposes, they’re almost out of sight. I think you’d be very hard pressed if you did a survey in Connecticut to have people name who the lieutenant governor is.”

Fedele, whom Rell tapped as a running mate in 2006, has for the most part been quiet about his plans, although many political insiders have assumed he would want to be Governor if the opportunity arose.

Fedele said he is not planning to launch an exploratory committee in case Rell backs out.

“It clearly would be something I’d like to entertain if the opportunity presented itself,” Fedele told The Advocate in early 2008 after a year on the job.

But Rose said Fedele is also in a tough spot because such a move from the lieutenant governor would send a signal to the public Rell was likely not going to be in the 2010 race.

Like McKinney, Fedele Wednesday was supportive of Rell and said he expects she will run next year and hopes to again join her on the ticket. “I look forward to running with her in 2010,” Fedele said.

House Minority Leader Lawrence Cafero, R-Norwalk, earlier this year launched his exploratory committee. He has been doing some fundraising for an unspecified statewide office, ruling out only the position of treasurer.

Although it might seem obvious to some that Fedele would be a likely successor to Rell, Professor Gary Rose, chairman of the department of government and politics at Sacred Heart University said that is not the case.

And Senate Minority Leader John McKinney, R-Fairfield, suddenly became a potential gubernatorial contender after surprising many observers last week when he told Hearst Newspapers he will not challenge freshman U.S. Rep. Jim Himes for his Fourth District congressional seat.

Rose said he cannot recall a lieutenant governor successfully running for the top spot. They either obtain the job because of the death of the Governor or their resignation. That was the case with Rell who took office in 2004 after then Republican Gov. John Rowland stepped down amidst a scandal.

Asked whether he was interested in either running for governor or lieutenant governor, McKinney, like Cafero, did not rule it out.

“Even though it’s a statewide constituency and they preside over the Senate ... (Lieutenant governors) really don’t have any type of real policy accomplishments that they can claim

“I’m not concerned about the financial side of it,” he said.

Rose said while his gut tells him the still-popular Rell will run, he believes McKinney would be the leading candidate should she not seek re-election. “But I would think Republicans would close in on her and say ‘Look, we need you. You’re our best hope,’ “ Rose said. Asked when he would like Rell to make up her mind so the party can go forward, state GOP Chairman Christopher Healy said he expects Rell to make a decision later in the year. “My guess is she’s going to think about it as we get into the fall and make a decision then,” Healy said, adding Rell is “in a strong position politically.” “I think that’s plenty of time,” Healy said. “I’m not really overly worried about it.” Staff Writer Brian Lockhart can be reached at 203-655-7476 or brian. [email protected].