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Danbury's Boughton Chooses Running Mate In Bid For Governor

DANBURY, Conn. – Danbury’s Mark Boughton reached across to the other side of the state Tuesday to name his running mate in his bid to become governor of Connecticut.

Mark Boughton, right, and Heather Somers greet customers at Norm's Diner in Groton.

Mark Boughton, right, and Heather Somers greet customers at Norm's Diner in Groton.

Photo Credit: Facebook/Boughton For Governor

The Danbury mayor named former Groton Mayor Heather Somers as his choice to run for lieutenant governor with him. Somers is serving her fifth term on the Town Council in Groton.

Boughton’s choice is viewed as a bid to diversify his voter base to another region of the state. It also reflects Boughton’s focus on jobs. Somers is a founding partner of a medical device manufacturer and was chair of the Groton Town Council’s Economic Development Committee. She is a graduate of the University of Connecticut and is vice president of international sales and marketing for Hollister Inc., which is based in Illinois.

"She is someone with a tremendous amount of potential," said Groton Mayor Rita M. Schmidt, a Democrat. "She's vitally interested in what's going on in the community, and she is a very genuine person."

Greenwich businessman Tom Foley is expected to announce his candidacy on Wednesday. Foley, a Republican, lost to Gov. Dannel Malloy in 2010, and Boughton was his running mate.  State Senate Minority Leader John McKinney, of Fairfield, state Sen. Toni Boucher of Wilton and Shelton Mayor Mark Lauretti are also expected to be among the Republicans seeking their party's nomination for governor.

The Republican State Convention is May 16 to 17. A primary, if necessary, would be held Aug. 12. Malloy has not yet announced whether he is running for re-election.

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