Danbury mayor hasn't ruled out a run for governor

DANBURY -- Mayor Mark Boughton said Tuesday that he hasn't ruled out a run for the governor's office.

Boughton said he's received numerous phone calls in recent weeks from people throughout Connecticut urging him to run.

"It's certainly flattering to be considered but at this point I haven't filed any committee for any office," he said.

Boughton, who was elected to a fifth term early this month, said that while he is committed to serving Danbury, he "certainly wouldn't rule out" a run for the governor's seat.

"Right now my focus is managing the city during a difficult economic time," he said.

During a ribbon-cutting ceremony last week, Brookfield Selectman Jerry Murphy said he told Boughton that he would support him for the seat.

"It would be a great loss for Danbury but a tremendous gain for the state of Connecticut," Murphy said. "Mark is a smart guy who realizes that a lot of our problems could be solved regionally. I think he would make a tremendous governor."

Boughton started his political career as a member of the state legislature in 1998, a position he held for three years before being elected mayor.

State Republican Party Chairman Chris Healy said he's often talked to Boughton about running for a higher office, but the mayor said he was focused on running the city.

"He would be an excellent candidate," Healy said.

The doors for a governor run for Republicans were thrown open several weeks ago when Gov. M. Jodi Rell announced her intentions not to seek re-election.

Healy said that while no Republicans have officially created an exploratory committee for a gubentorial run, several potential candidates have been discussed including state Rep. Larry Cafero, R-Norwalk, Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele and state Sen. John McKinney, whose district includes Newtown.

During the run up to this month's election, mayoral candidate Gary Goncalves asked Boughton about rumors that he might pursue a congressional run.

"If elected will you serve out the entire term?" he asked during a meeting with The News-Times Editorial Board.

Boughton said at the time that while he has been approached about a congressional bid, he is very happy serving the city of Danbury.

"In the past I've told legislators that I get more done in a day than they get done in 20 years," Boughton said. "At this point I have no plans to run for Congress."

Neither Goncalves or Danbury Democratic Town Committee chairman Joseph DaSilva Jr. wanted to comment Tuesday the potential for Boughton to run for governor.

"There have always been rumors," DaSilva said. "Some of which have been informed and others have been merely ill informed or speculation."

Danbury Republican Town Committee chairman Sal Chieffalo Jr. said he has not discussed with Boughton any plans for seeking a higher office.

"I haven't really thought about it," Chieffalo said. "But wouldn't it be terrific if the mayor of Danbury became the governor of Connecticut?"

Contact Dirk Perrefort(at dperrefort@newstimes.com(or at 203-731-3358.