WOONSOCKET, R.I. (WPRI) — Former Woonsocket Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt confirmed Monday she is considering a political comeback -- and a return to the State House.

In an interview, Baldelli-Hunt acknowledged she commissioned a recent poll of local voters -- first reported by 12 News last week -- that tested her continued political strength in the wake of her abrupt resignation as mayor last fall.

While Baldelli-Hunt declined to release the poll results, she said, "I will tell you this -- I am very pleased with the outcome of the poll." She added that she was "equally as pleased" with the response from residents to a mailer her campaign sent in recent days thanking voters for their support over her years as mayor.

She said the poll shows "a clear path" for her to run and win R.I. House District 49, a seat she used to occupy that's now held by independent state Rep. Jon Brien, a onetime ally of Baldelli-Hunt's who is now among her most vociferous critics.

Baldelli-Hunt said she would make a final decision about whether to run by the candidate-declaration deadline at 4 p.m. Wednesday. If she runs, Baldelli-Hunt said she would file as a Democrat.

"I certainly am not going to allow my legacy to be defined by a small group of individuals who have fought against me for years," she said. "I'm not going to allow them to define my legacy. And I have a lot to offer."

Brien dismissed the political threat posed by the former mayor.

"All I can say is anyone can run for any seat -- that’s what makes our system great," Brien told 12 News. "It just comes down to who the public believes deserves to be their representative."

Baldelli-Hunt cited ongoing health challenges when she announced her resignation last fall. But her decision also came soon after Target 12 disclosed her involvement in a questionable city land deal that quickly grew into a scandal.

On Monday, she declined to answer questions about that deal or whether it is being investigated. "That's an issue that I will be addressing at another time," she said.

As for her health, she said, "My health is first, first and foremost, and within the next 48 hours I will have the rest of the pieces of the puzzle that will allow me to make the decision whether i will be declaring."

But Brien argued the land deal and its political aftereffects would be a major part of any campaign if Baldelli-Hunt chooses to run.

"Obviously, there was a clear violation of the public trust on her part and that’s something that should she run she’ll have to answer for," he said. "But no matter -- I’m proud of the last legislative session I had, and I think I served the very diverse communities in my district very well."

Baldelli-Hunt said she was particularly concerned about statewide issues such as housing and homelessness, drug abuse, and training students for skilled trades.

"I am someone who has just been very committed to improving the lives of people within the city of Woonsocket, and of course the state of Rhode Island when I served in the legislature," she said. "I'm the kind of person that when I see something and feel there's a path to make it better or correct it, it's just something that I take great interest in doing."