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"After a year of exploring a run for statewide office, I have reached a decision on participating in the 2018 election," Boughton said on his Facebook page. "I hope you will join me in Danbury on Thursday evening for a very special announcement. I could not do this without your support and am honored to have you on our team as we move forward."
His Facebook page invites Interested people to join "Mark Boughton for a Special 2018 Election Announcement" at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 4, at the Palace Theatre at 165 Main St. in Danbury.
Boughton, a Republican, formed an exploratory committee over a year ago and has been fundraising for a state race. On New Year's Eve, he posted an update and asked for support. Any candidate using public funds for a gubernatorial campaign must raise $250,000 in separate $100 contributions.
Boughton has previously run for governor twice.
In 2010, he was the lieutenant governor candidate on the GOP slate led by gubernatorial candidate Tom Foley. They lost to Democrat Dannel Malloy in the November 2010 election. For the November 2014 election, his bid ended when he failed to qualify for public campaign financing.
Boughton, who was elected to his ninth term as mayor in November, is popular in Danbury and known for his active Twitter account, where he live-Tweets television shows, banters with Danbury High students and answers questions from voters.
The 53-year-old Boughton had a health scare last summer. In August, he had a lemon-sized benign tumor removed from his brain.
The tumor, which was located behind his left ear, is known as an Intracranial epidermoid cyst. He was diagnosed after suffering from dizzy spells and severe headaches.
Boughton fully recovered and was back on the job within weeks. Not only did he win re-election as mayor last fall, Boughton put forth an active campaign to persuade Amazon to build its second world headquarters in Danbury.
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