Republican Ross Garber, a well-known attorney, is now running for attorney general.
Garber, who defended the office of Gov. John G. Rowland during the impeachment inquiry in 2004, had stayed out of the race this year because his sister-in-law, Democrat Susan Bysiewicz, was in the race.
Garber, who ran previously for state treasurer in 2002 against Democrat Denise Nappier, took a shot at the incumbent, Richard Blumenthal.
"Connecticut needs an attorney general who will vigorously and diligently represent the state and its citizens, and who will do so without grandstanding or self-promotion. I hope to be that attorney general,'' Garber said in a statement. "As a lawyer who has spent his career representing individuals and businesses in their most important cases, I will be ready to do the job on day one.''
He added, "This is a challenging and exciting time in Connecticut. I look forward to the chance to be the people's advocate.''
Garber served as chief counsel to the governor's office in 2004. As such, he represented the governor's office during the impeachment inquiry. Rowland also had a private defense attorney, Willie Dow of New Haven, in that case.
In his last run for statewide office, Garber received 389,304 votes - compared to 527,216 for Nappier. He received more votes that year than any other Republican candidates for office, except the ticket of John G. Rowland and M. Jodi Rell.
Garber will be facing Avon attorney Martha Dean, who was also on the ballot in 2002. Dean ran against Blumenthal that year, and Blumenthal defeated her with 632,351 votes to 330,874. Dean defeated Blumenthal in her hometown of Avon by less than 400 votes, but she lost the statewide race by more than 300,000 votes.
Several other Republicans have expressed interest in the attorney general's office this year, but the race is still wide open.
