Now that 2014 is here the race for governor will begin in earnest. This Sunday we have the newest candidate in the race, Shelton Mayor Mark Lauretti, who is seeking the Republican nomination.

During the taping, Lauretti sounded some familiar themes among those seeking the state’s highest office: Connecticut is unfriendly to business, and Governor Malloy has made it worse. Lauretti said after 11 terms as mayor, he is qualified to take over a state he says is in trouble.

Also on Sunday’s Face the State: we have analysis from two high profile attorneys active in their parties. Democrat Gary Collins defended the governor’s record, and Republican Jason McCoy pointed out that record as the reason Republicans have a good chance of winning in November. Collins was appointed by Governor Malloy to chair the state’s commission on Civil Rights.

I also asked Collins about Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman, who was the subject of a Connecticut Post article last fall that suggested she might not want to seek re-election. Collins said he hadn’t heard that Wyman isn’t interested in running again and McCoy said if she is replaced on the Democrats’ ticket this year, it is great news for Republicans. “If she (Wyman) doesn’t run, Democrats have a real problem,” said the former Vernon mayor. Collins added “I would be extremely disappointed if there were any other person other than Wyman running with the governor.”

You can watch the entire edition of Face the State, this Sunday at 11 AM on WFSB Channel 3.

Watch Lauretti: WFSB 3 Connecticut

Our flashback focuses on an historic event from 20 years ago this winter that changed our state forever.