With the news Monday that M. Jodi Rell, the Governor of Connecticut, will not run for re-election, it seems like the next year of politics in my state will be one to watch.  Rell is a Republican who took over as Governor after her predecessor, John Rowland, stepped down in the midst of a corruption scandal.  She won a term of her own in 2006.

Despite Connecticut being in deep blue country – Democrats control both the House, Senate, and all of the other elected executive positions of Comptroller, Treasurer, Secretary of State, and Attorney General – Rell has enjoyed fairly high approval ratings for the last six years, even among Democrats.  She’s down to 58% now, but her all time high was 84%.

So, add the leaving of Jodi Rell to the reasons one should watch Connecticut next year.  There was already a good one, since beleagured Senator Chris Dodd is up for re-election.  And there is another race that at least I’m watching as it holds some personal interest to me.

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Politico reports that Senator Chris Dodd – who has lost a lot of support in his home state Connecticut – is planning a major political recovery plan.

And God knows he needs it. He currently enjoys a disapproval rating of 58%. Although Congress as a whole is quite unpopular, few senators can count on such dismal ratings.| MORE ›