George Jepsen, a former state Senator from Stamford and one-time head of the Connecticut Democratic Party, helped run Greenwich businessman Ned Lamont’s upstart bid for U.S. Senate in 2006.
But when in comes to the 2010 gubernatorial race, Jepsen is firmly behind outgoing Stamford Mayor Dannel Malloy, who has been exploring a run for several months.
Lamont yesterday announced he is exploring running for governor next year as well.
“I’ve been with Dan since the night he lost the (gubernatorial) primary three years ago,” Jepsen said.
Malloy was the Democratic nominee in 2006 but lost the primary to New Haven Mayor John DeStefano.
“I spoke to him and said I thought he should run again and want to help him,” Jepsen said. “I really think he’d be a great governor.”
Jepsen said he remains friends with Lamont and the two have had lunch a handful of times over the past year or so.
“He understands where I’m coming from,” Jepsen said.
Asked if Lamont’s entering the race makes things tougher for Malloy, who was considered a front-runner for the nomination along with Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz, Jepsen said “it’s more complicated all the way around, I think.”
