2017 is a municipal election year, but the gubernatorial election the following year might dominate the political headlines. With the election 22 months away, those with their eye on the state’s highest office are already making moves. On our New Year’s edition of Face the State, Duby McDowell and Kevin Rennie talked about a list of Republicans and Democrats who could be potential candidates.

First we talked about Governor Malloy, who has not yet said whether he will seek a third term. It’s early. Governor Jodi Rell waited until 12 months before the 2010 election to announce she would not seek re-election.

Rennie said Malloy won’t run, citing low approval ratings. “Democratic candidates this past November faced hostility from voters over the governor.” McDowell said “don’t count him out yet,” especially if Trump implodes, but she conceded “it is plausible he will be challenged from within his own party.”

Rennie and McDowell talked about the potential Democrats who could run, including Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman, Middletown Mayor Dan Drew, former Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz, Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty, Comptroller Kevin Lembo, New Haven Mayor Toni Harp and State Senator Ted Kennedy, Jr. Rennie suggested Kennedy would be the strongest candidate, and surprised us with information about Esty. “She’s very ambitious. I understand there are soundings being made by people on her behalf.” Watch the segment at the link below.

As for Republicans, the list is much longer. State Senator Tony Hwang, Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton, House Minority Leader Themis Klarides, MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough, State Senator Rob Kane, Eversource executive Greg Butler, State Senator Toni Boucher, State Representative Prasad Srinivasan (the only declared candidate,) Senate Leader Len Fasano, New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart, Darien First Selectman Jayme Stevenson, and former State Senator John McKinney.

What did Rennie and McDowell think of the Republicans?

Watch the entire segment here: http://www.wfsb.com/clip/13002036/analysts-look-ahead-at-2017