Greenwich Democrats say Westport First Selectwoman Diane Farrell could pull off an upset victory over Rep. Christopher Shays in Connecticut’s 4th Congressional District, and those involved in the party are pledging their full support, according to todays Greenwich Time.

“Although it is always difficult to run against an entrenched incumbent, Diane Farrell will present a really viable alternative which could captivate people’s imaginations,” former First Selectman Richard Bergstresser said, according to the newspaper.

Greenwich Time said Farrell is running as a fiscally conservative Democrat who opposed going to war in Iraq without broader international support and favors civil unions for gay couples.

Greenwich Democrats said Shays could lose his more liberal and moderate voters to Farrell, the newspaper said.

Rep. Christopher Shays addresses a community meeting in Westport today. The veteran Republican lawmaker touched on a wide range of issues ranging from the war in Iraq to transportation in Fairfield County. About 100 people attended. (CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Westport First Selectwoman Diane Goss Farrell exchanges a few words with Rep. Christopher Shays prior to the congressman’s community meeting today in Westport. It was the first meeting between the two since the Democrat Farrell filed a statement of candidacy this week to challenge the veteran Republican in November. Farrell remained at the meeting only a few minutes. WestportNow.com photo

Rep. Christopher Shays said today his race against Westport First Selectwoman Diane Goss Farrell will be “huge.”

In an interview with Cablevision News-12, Shays was asked about the November election against Democrat Farrell and said: “It’s going to be a huge race and I can’t predict the outcome.”

Earlier, in newspaper interview, Shays called Farrell a “hugely formidable” opponent.

In a meeting Thursday with editors of The Advocate of Stamford and Greenwich Time, Shays spoke on a wide range of topics, including whether he had an interest in—or had been asked about—running for governor in 2006.

“If anyone suggested it, they were not encouraged to pursue it,” the 16-year Republican veteran told the editors.

Westport Democratic First Selectwoman Diane Goss Farrell has launched a Web site at www.farrellforcongress.com in her bid to unseat Republican Rep. Christopher Shays in November in Connecticut’s 4th Congressional District. WestportNow.com photo

Westport First Selectwoman Diane Goss Farrell at today’s brown bag lunch: “Running Westport will be my primary responsibility.” WestportNow.com photo

Addressing her weekly brown bag citizens’ lunch, Farrell said she was very excited and proud of her decision, announced Tuesday, to officially file a federal form declaring her candidacy.

“However, I am still running the Town of Westport and that has got to be my primary responsibility,” she said.

Farrell added, though that she will “obviously be actively campaigning for the next 10 months.

The Westport News, one of two weekly newspapers in Westport, today repeated its call for the resignation of Gov. John G. Rowland.

“For the well-being of the state you claim to so dearly love, John G. Rowland have the good grace and enough sense to realize the time to resign is overdue,” the newspaper said in an editorial.

The newspaper, part of the Denver-based MediaNews Group Inc. whose other properties include the Connecticut Post in Bridgeport, had issued a similar call at New Year’s.

Westport’s Democaratic First Selectwoman Diane Goss Farrell filed papers today to form a campaign committee and raise funds to challenge Rep. Christopher Shays, a 16-year Republican veteran, for his 4th District congressional seat.

“I am thrilled to be taking the first step to run for Congress,” said Farrell in a statement.

“It has been years since I have heard such a groundswell of concern that our country is on the wrong track and that our region is underserved.”

Accompanying the announcement was a copy of a letter Farrell sent to Shays informing him of her candidacy.

“Since we have had a respectful working relationship over the years, I wanted to inform you personally of my intentions,” she wrote.

Rep. Christopher Shays today called on Gov. John G. Rowland to step down “in a gracious manner” and said the sooner the better.

Rep. Christopher Shays calls for Rowland’s resignation at a Hartford news conference today. WTNH.com photo

Shays spoke at a Hartford news conference.

“I believe the time has come for our governor, John Rowland, to step down in a gracious manner, and allow the lieutenant governor, Jodi Rell, to become our new governor,” the 4th District Republican congressman said.

Shays added, “I believe the sooner this happens the better for our state and believe it or not, the better ultimately it will be for John and his family.”

Asked if had personally told the governor of his position, Shays said he tried to call him Friday, but the call was not returned.

“It strikes me as being so obvious (that he ought to step down)  but not to him.” Shays said.

Asked if he thought the governor would resign, Shays replied, “I don֒t think he plans to in the near future.”

Shays said the impeachment process “should begin based on what we know but I dont think it necessarily should result in impeachment.”