Spallone Joins Merrill in Exodus From House. Both Hope for the Lone Seat in SOTS Lifeboat

It was a dire enough sign of the state’s crumbling financial picture when House Majority Leader Denise Merrill, D-Mansfield announced she was bailing out on a second two-year term as caucus leader and formed an exploratory bid for secretary of the state. Now Rep. James Spallone, D-Essex, co-chairman of the Government Administration & Elections Committee, has also announced an exploratory committee for SOTS.

   “I decided to consider a run for secretary of the state early last year because I have the relevant knowledge and experience, as well as a proven record on expanding voter participation and reforming election law, to be an effective leader in that constitutional office,” Spallone said. Consumer Protection Commission Jerry Farrell has said he’s interested in the GOP nomination for the constitutional office, which pays about $110,000.

 So the Blogster asks this morning: Does Rep. Steve Fontana, D-Hamden, have the majority leader support sewn up? And why would he want to?