CT-Gov

Malloy Beats Lamont In CT-GOV Dem Primary

Eric Kleefeld | August 10, 2010, 9:43PM

Connecticut Democratic Gubernatorial Nominee Dan Malloy

Former Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy has won the Democratic nomination for governor of Connecticut, defeating 2006 Senate nominee and one-time Netroots hero Ned Lamont.

With 38% of precincts reporting, Malloy leads by 59%-41%, and Lamont has conceded the race. Lamont had led in all the polls during this primary race, but the final surveys did show a late surge in support for Malloy.

Lamont, of course, is the businessman and former Greenwich selectman who narrowly defeated Sen. Joe Lieberman in the 2006 Democratic primary, running on an anti-war platform. Lieberman then went on to win the general election as an independent, and continues to caucus with Democrats at the same time as he supports the right's positions on foreign policy and endorsed John McCain for president in 2008.

Fun fact: Malloy previously ran for governor in that same 2006 primary, narrowly losing to New Haven Mayor John DeStefano, who then lost the general election to incumbent Republican Gov. Jodi Rell. This year, Rell is retiring, and the GOP nominee is yet to be determined tonight.

CT-Gov

Quinnipiac Poll: Connecticut's Dem Gov Primary A Toss-Up

Thomas Rhiel | August 9, 2010, 10:21AM

CT Democratic Gov. candidates Ned Lamont and Dan Malloy.

It looks like Connecticut's Democratic gubernatorial primary will go right down to the wire. A new Quinnipiac survey of the race shows Ned Lamont edging Dan Malloy 45%-42% -- a statistical tie, given the poll's ±4.6-point margin of error. The primary is tomorrow.

While Lamont's support has hovered around 45% in the past month, Malloy's has jumped five points since July 13, when a Quinnipiac poll pegged his support at 37%. The TPM Poll Average shows Lamont leading 43.2%-33.0%.

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CT-Gov

Ned Lamont Entering CT-Gov Race Tuesday, Officals Say

Evan McMorris-Santoro | February 12, 2010, 12:37PM

Fmr. Greenwich Selectman Ned Lamont

Connecticut liberals rejoice: Ned Lamont is back. The man who turned Joe Lieberman into an independent in 2006 will officially throw his hat into the 2010 gubernatorial race next week, according to the AP.

A Lamont run to replace retiring Gov. Jodi Rell (R) has been rumored for months, but the official announcement will likely kick Lamont fans into high gear. Polling has shown Lamont leading potential Republican opponents, but tied in the field of potential Democratic nominees.

CT-Gov

Leveraging Lieberman, Lamont Fundraises

Christina Bellantoni | December 15, 2009, 3:07PM

Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and Ned Lamont.

One time Joe Lieberman rival Ned Lamont, running for governor in Connecticut, takes advantage of the senator's recent rise in the health care headlines to solicit money for his race.

Lamont (D-CT) starts by saying the health care crisis in the Nutmeg state is real, adding: "Yet, as we've all seen, Senator Lieberman is now threatening to weaken or derail health care reform in the Senate. If he succeeds in his efforts, we will see health care costs continue to surge faster than inflation and wages, making coverage even more unaffordable and bankrupting our small businesses and working families alike."

He attempts to connect Lieberman to the governor's race, saying: "The next governor's job will be a lot easier if Congress can manage to overcome Senator Lieberman's obstruction and pass a health care reform bill that begins to reform the system and contain costs."

"Please stand with me on health care -- contribute to our exploratory committee today," he wrote.

MoveOn also staged a rally targeting Lieberman outside the White House gates.

CT-Gov

New Poll In CT Suggests Reason For Rell Decision

Evan McMorris-Santoro | November 10, 2009, 9:05AM

Gov. Jodi Rell (R-CT)

Why did Connecticut Gov. Jodi Rell decide not to run for reelection? The morning after her surprise announcement, political observers across the state are still trying to figure out what happened.

A new poll out this morning from Quinnipiac University gives some insight. It shows Rell leading the top Democratic opponent in a hypothetical 2010 gubernatorial matchup by just six points, 46-40.

The poll also shows that former U.S. Senate candidate Ned Lamont is making some headway in his gubernatorial bid just a week after he announced it.

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Ned Lamont

Ned Lamont: Why I'm Exploring A Run For Governor

Eric Kleefeld | November 4, 2009, 5:34PM

Fmr. Greenwich Selectman Ned Lamont

I just spoke to Ned Lamont, the Connecticut businessman and former Greenwich selectman who won the 2006 Democratic primary against Sen. Joe Lieberman, only to lose to the newly-independent Lieberman in the general election, and who has now formed an statewide exploratory committee for a potential run for governor.

My first question to Mr. Lamont: Does he expect to win the endorsement of the state's Junior Senator?

"I, um, I wouldn't expect that," Lamont said, after a brief pause. "But I certainly reached out to Sen. Lieberman today, if he wants to hear why I'm doing this, and why I think it's important."

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Ned Lamont

Lamont Officially Exploring Run For Governor Of Connecticut

Eric Kleefeld | November 4, 2009, 2:39PM

Fmr. Greenwich Selectman Ned Lamont

Ned Lamont has made it official -- he is exploring a run for Governor of Connecticut.

Lamont, a businessman and former Greenwich Selectman, came out of nowhere to beat Sen. Joe Lieberman in the 2006 Democratic primary, running on an anti-Iraq War platform. Lieberman then won the general election as an independent, thanks to the support of Republican voters, and has been bedeviling the Democratic leadership in Washington ever since.

Earlier today, Lamont announced the formation of a statewide exploratory committee, but did not specify exactly which office he might be seeking -- though it was rather obvious, by his criticisms of the current Republican Gov. Jodi Rell. But now it's official, that he's got his eyes on the statehouse.

Ned Lamont

Ned Lamont Announces Statewide Exploratory Committee

Eric Kleefeld | November 4, 2009, 12:43PM

Fmr. Greenwich Selectman Ned Lamont

Ned Lamont, the Connecticut businessman who defeated Sen. Joe Lieberman in the 2006 Democratic primary only to lose the general election, has now announced the formation of a statewide exploratory committee.

Lamont's press release doesn't say exactly which statewide office he'll be seeking, but the language points towards a gubernatorial campaign, with its criticism of the current Republican Gov. Jodi Rell: "Like businesses, states thrive with strong executive leadership, and they fall behind with weak leadership. As measured by the loss of jobs, young people leaving our state, and the never-ending budget crisis, Connecticut's Chief Executive is simply not getting the job done."

The full press release is available after the jump.

Late Update: Lamont has now made it official, that he is exploring a run for the governorship.

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Public Option

Lamont: Lieberman 'Has Shown He's Not Working Hard For Democrats'

Evan McMorris-Santoro | October 28, 2009, 2:28PM

Fmr. Greenwich Selectman Ned Lamont

Ned Lamont, the man who made Joe Lieberman an Independent, said today that Democrats in Connecticut are fuming about Lieberman's public option posturing in the same way they were about the Iraq war back in 2006. That was the year Lamont soundly defeated Lieberman for the Democratic senate nomination, only to lose to him when Lieberman reentered the race as an Independent.

"National Democrats said [our race] was all about the war in Iraq," Lamont told TPMDC this morning. "They said that except for that, Joe was a good Democrat."

But with the health care vote and other matters, Lamont said, Lieberman has "not been working hard with Democrats to get universal health care as he promised. He's been sort of obstructionist."

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