Mihos opens campaign bank account

Christy Mihos, former member of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, filed papers with the state yesterday establishing a bank account for use in a gubernatorial campaign.

The filing was the first step in a two-step process Mihos said he will complete next week to become an official candidate. He also must file a form with the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance creating a committee to use the account.

''It means game on, I guess," Mihos said. The millionaire refused to say how much money he put into the account.

Mihos, a registered Republican whose family founded the Christy's convenience store chain, said last fall that he was considering a gubernatorial campaign but would wait for Governor Mitt Romney to announce whether he was seeking reelection.

The governor announced on Dec. 14 that he would not seek a second term.

''In deference to the governor, we did nothing until he announced. And now we're filing what we have to file, and now we're meeting with folks and bringing on the people we need," he said.

Mihos has yet to announce whether he will run as a Republican or as an independent.