Source: Boughton to form exploratory committee for gov

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@mayormark is in search of a new Twitter handle: @governormark.

Mark Boughton, a Republican in his sixth term as Danbury mayor and social media powerhouse, is expected to announce Wednesday that he’s forming an exploratory committee to run for governor in 2014, a person familiar with Boughton’s plans told Hearst Connecticut Newspapers.

The 49-year-old has scheduled a news conference for 10:30 a.m. at Danbury High School, where Boughton is likely to make what the person characterized as a “soft launch” on his candidacy for the state’s highest office.

A message seeking comment was left Tuesday afternoon for Boughton, who was part of a GOP ticket with gubernatorial nominee Tom Foley in 2010 that came within 6,500 votes of winning the governor and lieutenant governor’s offices.

Foley is expected to seek a rematch with Democrat Dannel P. Malloy in 2014.

State Senate Minority Leader John McKinney of Fairfield is the only prominent Republican to formally declare in the race so far.

Neil Vigdor