Boucher will not seek governor’s seat, remains in Senate

Sen. Toni Boucher, R-Wilton, ended her exploratory look at a run for governor Wednesday, announcing she will stay in the state senate. Sen. Toni Boucher, R-Wilton, ended her exploratory look at a run for governor Wednesday, announcing she will stay in the state senate. Photo: Emilie Munson Photo: Emilie Munson Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Boucher will not seek governor’s seat, remains in Senate 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

HARTFORD — Calling it a difficult and emotional decision, Sen. Toni Boucher, a Republican from Wilton, announced Wednesday she will remain in the state Senate and not run for governor.

Boucher has been exploring a run since late July, but she recently decided that she could best serve her constituents by seeking re-election in her Senate district, she said.

“I wasn’t even quite sure until a couple days ago,” she said.

Flanked by her Republican Senate colleagues on the chilly steps of the Capitol, her announcement highlighted how close Republicans are to seizing a majority in that chamber, which is now tied 18-18. She predicted the November election will be “one of the most important in memory” for influencing the direction of the state.

“Republicans are only one seat away from a majority,” she said. “I’m committed, along with my Republican colleagues who join me today to make this happen, so we can pursue policies that put our state back on solid economic footing.”

Boucher leaves a crowded field of gubernatorial candidates with more than 10 people exploring or declared on the Republican side alone. She has yet not decided who she will endorse, she said, and will donate the money her exploratory committee raised to a campaign committee for her state Senate district.

Boucher was elected to the Senate in 2008 and served in the House for 12 years before that. This is the second time she has explored a gubernatorial run and decided against it.

“She made an incredible candidate for governor, and I know no matter where she serves in state government she will always fight for her constituents,” said Senate Republican Leader Len Fasano, R-North Haven, in a statement Wednesday.

emunson@hearstmediact.com; Twitter: @emiliemunson