Former Rep. Shays to run for Senate

Former Rep. Chris Shays (R-Conn.) will run for the Senate, according to Greenwich Time, a local newspaper.

Shays, who had sold his home in Connecticut and moved to Maryland after he was defeated by Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.) in 2008, has moved back to the Nutmeg State with his wife Betsi, and recently re-registered to vote in the state.

"Betsi and I [are] excited to be back in Connecticut," Shays told the newspaper. "These are all the steps that I am taking so that I can have the opportunity to run for Senate. I hope to be on the ballot next November."

The seat will be open: Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) has decide to retire. The state is strongly Democratic and has not had a Republican senator since 1988, although centrist Republicans have run well there and the state had a Republican governor from 2004 through 2010.

Shays will likely face former World Wrestling Emporium CEO Linda McMahon, who lost a 2010 Senate race, in a Republican primary. McMahon spent $50 million on that race only to lose to now-Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) by a 12-point margin.

The Democratic field is as yet unsettled. Candidates include former Connecticut Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz, Rep. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and state Rep. William Tong.

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