HARTFORD, Conn. -- With the gubernatorial election more than a year away, the two remaining declared Democratic candidates are hoping the party loyalists will start to coalesce behind their campaigns.

But most key Democrats have not yet endorsed either New Haven Mayor John DeStefano or Stamford Mayor Dannel Malloy.

They're waiting to see whether any more Democrats will jump into the race, and whether Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell will run.

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"There are a very large number of people who are waiting to see what the final landscape will be, who is the Republican candidate because Jodi hasn't said, what about (Attorney General) Dick Blumenthal, what about (Lieutenant Governor) Kevin Sullivan," said Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz, who dropped out of the race last week.

Bysiewicz said that uncertainty made it difficult for her to continue pursuing the Democratic nomination.

"I got to the point where last week I felt that we really needed to have some clarity in the landscape and for me it was very difficult to go forward," she said. "Other candidates have to make that decision for themselves. I know that's where I came out on it."

On Tuesday, DeStefano shrugged off questions about whether uncertainties with the race have made it more difficult to garner support from Democrats.

"I met with Dick (Blumenthal) two weeks ago. I asked him to support my candidacy for governor and I hope he will," he said.

DeStefano seized the opportunity, in the wake of Bysiewicz's withdrawal, to show there is growing support for his campaign. He appeared on the state Capitol steps with U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., who announced she's backing DeStefano, a friend and fellow New Haven resident.

"I think Democrats collectively around the state are interested in electing a Democratic governor and they're going to get behind John DeStefano," DeLauro said.

Malloy said he believes there are "a fair number of people" who are waiting for a definitive word from Blumenthal. He said it appears that the Democrats who have already thrown their support for Blumenthal are still standing by him.

Blumenthal said Monday that he still hasn't made a decision about running for governor and has no timetable.

"I think this field of two people is the final field, but people have to wait, many people feel they have to wait, for Dick to make his decision," Malloy said.

Malloy said he believes the field of candidates, both Democrats and Republicans, will firm up in the coming weeks. Malloy said his campaign is gaining traction and will get stronger as the landscape becomes more clear.

"My belief is, we are days or weeks away," he said.

DeStefano said Democrats should use this time to spread their message about the issues that matter to voters.

"This is September of 2005, for the general elections in November 2006," he said. "This is a marvelous opportunity to talk to the people of the state of Connecticut about how we're going to create jobs, how we're going to make schools better for their children."