When asked if he was planning to run for governor against Dannel Malloy, former U.S. Rep. Chris Shays didn't say yes.

But he didn't say no, either.

What he said was, "I'm not ruling out anything."

Shays, who just finished up an unsuccessful primary bid for U.S. Senate, was on his way back from the Republican Convention in Tampa, Fla., where, reportedly, potential Republican gubernatorial candidates were overflowing.

As Hearst's Neil Vigdor reported, Norwalk's state Rep. Larry Cafero, Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton and Fairfield state Sen. John McKinney may all be weighing a run for governor, with former Malloy opponent Tom Foley actually admitting it.

The others are in Shays' boat — not saying yes, but not saying no.

Shays lost against McMahon and then hightailed it down to Tampa for the convention, so he's still figuring out what he wants to do. A run for governor may be in the cards, but it's not his only option.

"Whatever I do, it's going to be constructive and meaningful," he said.