The Blogster confirmed with multiple sources this morning that Ned Lamont, the 2006 Senate primary winner against Joe Lieberman, who won the general election, will announce his candidacy for governor as soon as tomorrow.
After calling Lamont’s Greenwich office this morning, the following release came over. It’s unlikely that Lamont’s going to use public financing, so Republican incumbent Gov. Jodi Rell, if she decides to run, could be in for a tough campaign from the Greenwich multi-millionaire. Here’s the release, followed by a “personal” announcement, then response of Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy, who has an exploratory committee of his own:
NED LAMONT ANNOUNCES FORMATION OF EXPLORATORY COMMITTEE
Norwalk, CT – Ned Lamont, successful businessman, co-founder of the state policy center at Central Connecticut State University, and Democratic nominee for US Senate in 2006, announced that he will be filing papers today with the State Elections Enforcement Commission establishing an Exploratory Committee for statewide office:
“As I have continued to meet with citizens across our state over the last three years, as co-chairman of President Obama’s Connecticut campaign and on behalf of health care reform, I have been constantly reminded that Connecticut is not living up to its potential and that too many of our families are being left behind,” said Lamont.
“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.”
Since the 2006 campaign, Lamont has continued to serve as Chairman of the Board of Campus Televideo, a Connecticut company he founded twenty-five years ago. He is also a distinguished professor of political science at Central Connecticut State University, where he co-founded a policy center which has brought together leading business, labor, and non-profit leaders to formulate a strategic plan for the state of Connecticut. In addition, he serves on the boards of Conservation Services Group, a leading provider of energy efficiency programs, Teach for America/CT, and Mercy Corps, an international non-profit organization that focuses on job training and small business start-ups around the world.
Dear Ken ,
I wanted you to be one of the first to know that, this afternoon, I will be filing papers to establish a committee to explore a potential candidacy for Governor of Connecticut.
Since our 2006 campaign for Senate, I have continued to meet with citizens across our state — as co-chairman of the Obama campaign in Connecticut, founder of a state policy institute at Central Connecticut State University, and as an outspoken advocate for health care reform. I have been constantly reminded during these conversations that Connecticut is not living up to its potential and that too many of our families are still being left behind.
Whether it has been health care and the economy, losing jobs, young people leaving the state, or the never-ending budget crisis, we have all seen our state head in the wrong direction.
Simply put, Connecticut’s current Chief Executive is not getting the job done.
Over the next few weeks, I look forward to continuing these conversations with voters across the state. And I also look forward to hearing from all of you.
You can sign up here to stay connected on Twitter and Facebook:
I hope to have your support as we start this new chapter together.
MALLOY RESPONDS TO LAMONT
November 4, 2009 – Dan Malloy, potential candidate for Governor in 2010, today responded to news that Ned Lamont has formed an exploratory committee for the 2010 Governor’s Race:
“As I travel around the state exploring a run for Governor, I’m getting an overwhelmingly positive response to the vision I offer and the track record I have to back it up. I’ve done what Gov. Rell has failed to do: I’ve created jobs, provided more health care, made my communities and neighborhoods safer, and helped lead the way on important issues like green technology and transportation. I’ve known Ned for many years and consider him a friend. I welcome him into the discussion about Connecticut’s future.”
