Shelton Mayor Mark Lauretti appeared on “Face the State” Jan. 5 to discuss his intention to seek the Republican nomination for governor.
It was Lauretti’s first television interview since filing paperwork to form a candidate committee last month.
The 12-term Republican mayor was calm, cool and collected during his interview with veteran Nutmeg newsman Dennis House.
Click here to watch the interview.
Lauretti said he wants to be governor due to a “general frustration amongst people who serve the public, like myself, as well as people who live here (and) businesses who operate here, about the financial direction of our state.”
Lauretti said incumbent Gov. Dannel Malloy’s administration has made it tougher for businesses to operate in Connecticut.
“It is very difficult to own and operate a business in the state of Connecticut for a variety of reasons, one of which are the number of regulations that are imposed upon them,” Lauretti said. “And then, the tax issue is very significant.”
Lauretti struck a populist tone several times during the interview, saying Connecticut is too expensive in many ways.
“Businesses need a break. The average working person needs a break,” Lauretti said.
The mayor said his track record locally gives him “unique qualifications” to be governor.
“I run a community that continues to grow. If people want to do business in the state of Connecticut, they are more likely to do it in Shelton than they are many other places in the state,” Lauretti said.
Lauretti’s fledgling campaign is planning a “Lauretti for Governor“ campaign kickoff 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9 at the Inn at Villa Bianca in Seymour.
Click here for a previous Valley Indy story on Lauretti.
State Democrats have taken a few jabs at Lauretti since he emerged as a potential opponent to Malloy.
In a press release referencing a Jan. 3 Valley Indy story, state Dems accused Lauretti and his fellow potential GOP candidates as being against working families when it comes to opposing a minimum wage increase.
Lauretti declined to state his stance on the minimum wage issue in the Valley Indy article, a tidbit mentioned by state Democrats.
