CT Progressive

The boys over at Capitol Watch got an advance copy of Nancy Wyman’s letter on her interest or non-interest in running for Governor in 2010, and their impression was that Wyman was “stepping back” from a run.

Two day later, someone I know that received it wrote me an email that said that she was indeed exploring a run. So obviously, different people can read different things into the letter – so I’m attaching it below for the curious.

My sense is that she is exploring a run, but is making a mistake both politically and policy-wise by shunning the bully-pulpit that comes with even a potential candidacy. Column-inches and airtime don’t necessarily come easily, and if an elected official makes a proposal with nobody around to hear it…

In any case, the letter is below.

I have been honored in recent months to be asked by so many people - whether at economic summits, town committee meetings or ribbon-cuttings - if I plan to run for Governor.

As I first said last month during an interview on Face the State, I am seriously considering a run for Governor in 2010. Although I do not plan to immediately open an exploratory committee, I am having serious conversations with political leaders and constituents alike about the experience and qualities they are looking for in a leader for Connecticut during these difficult economic times. And most importantly, I am also carefully weighting the impact a campaign for Governor would have on my family.

My first responsibility as Comptroller is to serve as fiscal guardian for the state’s taxpayers, and I will commit all of my effort and that of my staff to help create a roadmap for fiscal recovery and stability in the face of this unprecedented economic crisis. Now more than ever, we need to be vigilant in our efforts to streamline state government without harming our most vulnerable citizens.

To help me do that, I am forming a fiscal-policy workgroup made up of noted economists and others that will develop proposals to address our current economic challenges, tax structure, and future fiscal initiatives. As I have said many times, there are structural weaknesses in the budget and budget-making process that will require innovative, long-term solutions.

As administrator of the state’s health insurance plan, I know first-hand that President Obama is right when he says that our existing health care system is a major factor in this economic crisis.

The uninsured are stuck with medical bills they can’t pay, the insured face skyrocketing premiums which drain their ability to spend, and employers are buckling under the burden of providing coverage for their employees. Health care costs are forcing municipalities to raise property taxes, and our state budget has reached critical mass with rising Medicaid costs and other health care expenses.

In order to meet these ever-increasing challenges, I have reorganized my agency to create the Healthcare Policy and Benefits Services Division. This new division will be responsible for evaluating all health care proposals before the General Assembly, and will help me initiate and implement programs to increase access to affordable, quality health care for all citizens.

Opening an exploratory committee at this time may risk having these and other actions be labeled as political, and therefore not considered in the most serious possible terms. I do believe, however, that I can successfully explore a run for Governor without opening a formal committee.

I will spend the next several months working with the legislature on these issues as I continue my dialogue with you and the citizens of Connecticut about my plans for the 2010 election. My decision will not be based on who else is running, Democrat or Republican, or on my personal political ambitions.

If, in the end, a mutual decision is reached that I am the best person to lead our state, I will fully commit to a run for Governor. If I believe my greatest contribution would be to serve another term as Comptroller, I will proudly run for reelection to a job I have loved for 14 years.

I would like to conclude by thanking you for your support over the years. I am extremely grateful, and look forward to helping lead Connecticut through these challenges, and to better days ahead.

Sincerely, Nancy Wyman

This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 10th, 2009 at 11:58 am and is filed under Party Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.