There's a move afoot to draft Jerry Labriola Jr. as state Republican Chairman and he said the groundswell of support has prompted him to strongly consider entering the race.
Labriola, an attorney who currently serves as the state party's treasurer, ran for Congress against Democratic U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro in 2010. He lost the race but left a lasting impression with a memorable ad that spoofed the Old Spice commercial. He is the brother of state Rep. David Labriola and the son of former state Sen. Jerry Labriola who ran for governor, lt. governor and U.S. Senate.
"For the last several days many of you, and other members of the Republican Party have approached me regarding the position of Chairman,'' Labriola wrote to members of the State Central Committee, who will chose a new leader at the end of the month. The letter was posted on The King's blog early this morning.
In an interview earlier this afternoon, Labriola elaborated. "It's been an interesting week in our party...a very unlikely scenario has unfolded,'' he said.
In fact, as Labriola noted, "Last week at this time there were 10 individuals running; by Tuesday, five folded and said they were supporting another candidate. Two days later, that candidate pulled out.''
Labriola was refering to the sudden withdrawal of former state Sen. William Aniskovich. The one-time frontrunner pulled out on Thursday following embarrassing revelations about his personal conduct and fresh questions about his political and business dealings.
Labriola said he received many emails, texts, Facebook messages and calls encouraging him to join the chairman's race. He currently serves as state GOP treasurer and had been intending to run for reelection to that post.
"This is not something I had any intention of doing until the last few days,'' he said. "We're fortunate to have many good candidates for chairman. If the members decide to go with someone else then I'd be happy to continue helping my party as party treasurer."
But some party insiders have told Labriola that he is just the person to heal the rifts within the Republican ranks in Connecticut, he said. "I care deeply about my party and my state,'' he said.
Labriola says he'll decide by Tuesday or Wednesday whether to jump into the race after evaluating the feedback he receives from state central committee members and others.
"Two days is a lifetime in this race,'' he said.