He’s In. Jim Smith Will Seek Republican Nomination for Governor. “Privilege Date” as Republican is June 21st.

Well-known banker and civic activist Jim Smith will seek the Republican nomination for governor, Daily Ructions has learned. Watch for a formal announcement in the next week. Waterbury has been buzzing for days with anticipation of a campaign launch by the local notable. Smith retired at the end of 2017 as the head of Webster Bank, which his father founded in Waterbury and Smith grew into a formidable presence across the state.

Smith has been in the news lately as co-chairman of the committee on the state’s financial future that was created last year by the legislature.

Smith will be a late entry into a crowded Republican field in which no clear frontrunner has emerged. Smith will not participate in the state’s generous campaign finance program. He will rely on his extensive network of contacts for contributions and also his own significant personal resources. Smith is the brother-in-law of veteran Waterbury Democrat state Senator Joan Hartley.

UPDATE: A Daily Ructions reader writes that Smith enrolled as a Republican last month. It appears Smith was a member of the Independent Party, not an unaffiliated voter. His “privilege date” as a Republican is June 21st.