First Republican explores run for Connecticut state treasurer

Arora is a businessman and state representative from Greenwich, first elected in January 2020. He unsuccessfully ran for Congress against Rep. Jim Himes in 2018. Last year, Arora dropped a bid for a state Senate seat when Republican delegates backed challenger Ryan Fazio.

The current treasurer, Democrat Shawn Wooden, launched the "Baby Bonds" program to help disadvantaged kids save money for college.

He's also overseen record a state budget surplus, improved bond ratings, and re-structured Connecticut's long term debt.

"Our current treasurer has done a number of small things which are quite appreciated. But he has not put together a strategy. If you look at our pension assets, which is $40 billion -- and $40 billion short of what they should be," Arora says.

Treasurer Wooden has not announced a re-election bid. But his team released a statement saying, "There will be plenty of time to discuss the many successes of his [Wooden's] administration's strategy, including improving our state's credit rating for the first time in over two decades, a historically high budget reserve fund, making crucial investments in our schools and infrastructure, reducing our long term debt, and making it easier for our kids to pursue higher education."

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