Gov. Malloy Will Not Seek a Third Term

Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy will not seek a third term. He made the announcement on Thursday afternoon.

The 61-year-old Malloy formally announced his plans not to run in the 2018 election during a news conference at the state Capitol and he broke down in tears while revealing his decision.

The governor's wife, Cathy, stood by his side and Malloy became emotional when he mentioned her at the end of his remarks.

"In closing, I want to recognize Cathy, who I've already recognized today. She is my partner, she is my best friend and it's only through her love and support that -- and Dannel (their son) too and my other two sons -- that all of this has been possible," Malloy said.

The governor said he and his wife made the decision that he would not run again over a period of time.

Read the governor's full remarks, as they were prepared, here. 

Malloy's announcement comes as a growing list of potential Democratic and Republican gubernatorial candidates has been forming.

Much of Malloy's tenure as governor has been marked by budget struggles.

"Plain and simple, our party and our state are better off today for Dan Malloy being our governor,” Nick Balletto, chairman of the state Democratic Party, said in a statement. “He proved yet again this afternoon what he's always been: a leader willing to make the hard choices necessary for the long-term interests of our state and to secure a sustainable future for our residents and our businesses, regardless of the political calculus." 

“As governor, Dan Malloy has built a stronger Democratic Party. He has inspired grassroots activism, helped elect candidates to local office and the state legislature, and made investments in party infrastructure that will last long beyond his terms in office. A strong Connecticut Democratic Party has led to a much-needed raise for working people, new and comprehensive gun-safety laws, the end of the death penalty in our state, and expanded healthcare access for hundreds of thousands of Connecticut residents.  His commitment to our party and the causes it represents haven't been just about his term in office, but part of his life's mission. I look forward to working with him in the years ahead to keep making progress toward our shared goals,” Balletto said in a statement.

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