Pelto said his campaign has more than 100 volunteers collecting petition signatures.
Former state legislator Jonathan Pelto is officially entering the race for governor as a third party candidate. Pelto is converting his exploratory committee into a candidate committee.
Pelto's running mate, Ebony Murphy, will also become a candidate for Lieutenant Governor.
"Since creating an exploratory committee for Governor a few weeks ago, I have been overwhelmed and incredibly humbled by the positive response I have receives," Pelto said in a statement Thursday morning. He said his campaign has more than 100 volunteers collecting petition signatures.
"I think that there's a consensus that this election is so close that just getting on the ballot would probably mean that Dan Malloy would lose," Pelto said last month on WNPR's Where We Live. "I've said repeatedly my goal is not to be a spoiler. I'll run if I can be a credible candidate."
In his statement, Pelto recognized the challenge he faces. "As a third-party candidate for governor," he said, "I recognize that the campaign system is rigged to make being elected as difficult as possible, but I see a clear path forward and I am indeed running to win."
Pelto highlighted three key issues of his campaign as middle income tax reform, ending corporate welfare, and supporting Connecticut's public schools.
