Chris Jones wants to run for mayor of Shelton again.
He filed paperwork with the city clerk Tuesday to form an exploratory committee for the November 2011 race.
Jones, 44, a Democrat, ran two years ago, when he lost to Republican Mayor Mark Lauretti.
Lauretti received 6,105 votes, while Jones received 4,641.
Jones said the exploratory committee allows him to start gauging interest and determining whether to run. Jones said he took the same steps in 2009.
“I’m running for a breath of fresh air,” Jones said. “A change in the administration is definitely needed.”
Click play on the video to see Jone’s speech during the Democratic Town Committee caucus in 2009.
Lauretti is currently serving his 10th term.
Jones owns All Premier Hardwood Flooring, and is a former member of the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Board of Aldermen. He’s an active member of the Shelton Fire Department.
He has attended many public meetings, and said he will be watching the budget process as it unfolds. Lauretti is scheduled to present his budget proposal at 5:30 tonight (Tuesday, Feb. 22).
Democrats typically have a hard time with the seat in Shelton, Democratic Town Committee chairman David Gioiello said.
“It’s always a hard campaign for democrats in Shelton,” Gioiello said. “While we’re close in registered voters, the unaffiliated dominate and I think it certainly is a Republican leaning town.”
Gioiello said the town committee hasn’t endorsed a candidate yet, and said Jones was the only one to approach him as of Tuesday. The committee will issue an official endorsement at its caucus this summer, he said.
“I think he will be a very viable candidate,” Gioiello said.
“He ran a good race last time, although he was defeated,” Gioiello said. “He certainly works hard as a candidate. He knocks on a lot of doors. He was able to raise a significant amount of money.”
When asked if he thought he could overcome the level of victory Lauretti had last year, Jones said:
“If I lost by 1,400, I have to change 700 people’s minds. I have to give 700 more people a reason to vote for me.”
Lauretti hasn’t officially said whether he will run in 2011, according to Republican Town Committee chairman Anthony Simonetti.
“That’s his decision to make,” Simonetti said when asked whether Lauretti has expressed interest.
Lauretti said he always tells people the same thing:
“Consider that I’m running, unless I say I’m not,” Lauretti said. “That doesn’t mean I’m announcing. I never announce.”
Simonetti said he’s drafting an official statement from local Republicans.
