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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