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MIDDLETOWN Republican Councilwoman Sandra Russo-Driska said she has submitted a request to her town committee to be the party's candidate for mayor in the November municipal election.

Russo-Driska worked for the city for 30 years and was the city and town clerk for 17 years. She retired in 2013 and opened a boutique on Newfield Street before moving the shop to Main Street last year.

She is serving her first term on the council, and said she's been considering a run for mayor for several months.

"I've been involved for 30-plus years," Russo-Driska said. "I worked for nine different administrations, both Republican and Democrat."

She said in the months leading up to her retirement, "I was going to open my boutique and sail off into the sunset," but said she saw too much negativity in the city.

"The political climate is such that I decided it was a good time to try to make some positive changes," Russo-Driska said.

With months to go still before town committees make official endorsements, potential candidates have already begun exploring a run for the mayor's office.

Mayor Daniel Drew, a Democrat, announced in January that he is running for a third term. Councilwoman Hope Kasper, also a Democrat, said she is considering challenging the mayor in a primary.

Republican Councilman Sebastian Giuliano, who was mayor for three terms until losing in 2011, told The Courant he is also considering another run. He said he would not decide for sure until later in February.

In this year's election, candidates for mayor and common council will be running for four-year terms. Voters last year approved a charter revision to lengthen the terms for both offices from two years to four years.

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Russo-Driska Seeks Republican Nomination For Middletown Mayor