With the statement “being speaker isn’t forever,” Jim Amann, House Speaker and Milford Democrat has told the Journal Inquirer that he plans to form a committee to explore a 2010 gubernatorial campaign. This would add him to the Democratic mix that includes AG Dick Blumenthal (who’s always in the mix), Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz, State Senate President Don Williams, Mayors John DeStefano and Dan Malloy.

According to the Jounral Inquirer:

The Milford Democrat confirmed Friday that next month he likely will form a committee to explore a 2010 gubernatorial campaign.

“Right after the holidays, my wife, Terri, and I are going to sit down and have a heart-to-heart talk about it,” Amann said. I have a lot to think about, if I want to continue my political career. Being speaker isn’t forever.”

Amann, 51, who will enter his 18th year in the General Assembly next month, has been speaker since 2005, following a two-year stint as House majority leader.

“I know I’d be a good governor,” Amann said. “I just think Connecticut has so much potential. We’ve seen that all throughout our history.”

With a highly educated and talented work force, Connecticut needs to do more, both in the short- and long-term, to keep its workers here, particularly its young adults, he said.
Since taking the top post in the House of Representatives, Amann has spearheaded a $3.6 billion initiative to revitalize the state’s transportation network, a major expansion of health insurance for poor families, and new investments in diverse business areas such as stem cell research and motion pictures.

A moderate with a strong liberal base in the House caucus, Amann is one of several prominent Democrats mentioned in Capitol rumor mill for a gubernatorial contest still three years off.

source: Journal Inquirer, Amann eyes governor’s job
By Keith Phaneuf, 12/08/2007