HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) Potential Republican candidates for governor are lining up to contend for the party's endorsement.

Shortly before Christmas, Shelton Mayor Mark Lauretti filed the necessary paperwork to form a gubernatorial campaign committee. He joined Senate Minority Leader John McKinney of Fairfield. Both hope to qualify for public financing and are collecting small contributions.

Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton has scheduled a news conference for today to announce his intentions. The Republican is expected to transition his exploratory committee into an official gubernatorial campaign committee.

A couple of other GOP candidates still have exploratory committees, including Tom Foley, the party's 2010 candidate, and Wilton state Sen. Toni Boucher.

All the potential Republican candidates have made the state's slow economy a key issue.

Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has not yet announced his re-election plans.