Top-Tier Dem Recruit Ted Kennedy Jr. Says He Won’t Run For Connecticut Governor

In a serious blow to Connecticut Democrats, top-tier gubernatorial recruit Ted Kennedy Jr. announced today that he will not run for Connecticut governor, joining state Attorney General George Jepsen and current Democrat Governor Dan Malloy as high-profile candidates that are refusing to run in 2018. Despite being touted for months as a key Democrat prospect for the governor’s race, Kennedy would have been forced to run on Malloy’s record of job-killing tax hikes, high-profile business departures, routine credit downgrades and continuing budgetary crises – all part of an agenda that Kennedy enabled as a Democrat state senator. Kennedy’s decision to stay out of the race leaves Connecticut Democrats without one of their top-tier candidates for governor and scrambling as Dan Malloy gives up on the state’s dire fiscal mess. This also adds to their woes after the Cook Political Report on Friday moved their rating for the Connecticut governor’s race from “Lean Democrat” to “Toss-Up.”

Fox 61 reports:

“Democratic State Senator Ted Kennedy, Jr. of Branford issued a statement on Monday regarding the 2018 election in the state of Connecticut:

‘I will not be a candidate for statewide office in 2018. I am deeply grateful to everyone who has contacted me and encouraged me to run. I value the contribution I am able to make as the state Senator for the 12th District. I believe that if we put aside our partisan politics and find common ground, we can overcome our challenges and move Connecticut forward. I remain committed to making our state a better place to live, do business and raise a family.'”