Lamont in exploratory phase for Gov.

Hartford (WTNH) - Ned Lamont may be hitting the campaign trail sooner than expected.

"I'm in the exploratory phase for statewide office as the lawyers have explained to me," Lamont said.

Lamont says he's been considering a run for governor for a year and doesn't care if the popular incumbent Republican runs for another term or not.

"Governor Rell's going to do what she's going to do but at the end of the day you need a stronger hand at the tiller. I mean this state's in trouble. Read that Moody's report that just came out. They gave us a failing grade, they described us as something like a slow motion fiscal car wreak," Lamont said.

Lamont says both the Governor and legislature share some blame for the current budget problems.

"Look I come from the business world where you have a CEO and I hold the CEO accoutable, but at the end of the day, yeah, I challenged both political parties three years ago. I thought they were both wrong on some big issues and I'm going to challenge both political parties again," Lamont said.

In his senate race, Lamont spent millions of his own dollars, will he do that to win the governor's office?

"We'll see, my plan is to honor the campaign finance reform and I'm going to do everything I can to raise small money donations to show that I've got broad based support," Lamont said.