Malloy: Time to put politics on the backburner

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Gov. Dannel P. Malloy marches through the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch at the start of his second inaugural parade in Hartford on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015. He is accompanied by his wife, Cathy Malloy, and three sons.

HARTFORD — Gov. Dannel P. Malloy expressed relief Wednesday morning that the rough-and-tumble midterm election is in his rear-view mirror.

Speaking to Hearst Connecticut Media from inside the governor’s office, the newly-re-elected Democrat said he is eager to roll up his sleeves tackle a second term agenda that will be marked by fiscal challenges and an emphasis on education and transportation.

“Too much time was spent campaigning,” Malloy said. “Too much time has been spent recovering from campaigning. And then the holidays. I just want to get back to work.”

Malloy, 59, overcome a sluggish economy and a bad year for Democrats to defeat Republican Tom Foley by 28,000 votes in a rematch of their 2010 nail-biter. His swearing-in is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at the William A. O’Neill Armory in Hartford.

“I’m happiest when I can get into the normal flow of life and work,” Malloy said. “So I’m anxious to have this day and the day of celebration and then honestly get back to work.”

A podium was set up in a corner of Malloy’s office at the Capitol, where aides said he had been practicing for the swearing-in and the State of the State address, which he will deliver later Wednesday afternoon before a joint session of the General Assembly.

Malloy reflected on his choice of state Supreme Court Justice Andrew McDonald, who served as Malloy’s legal counsel both as governor and Stamford’s top lawyer when Malloy was mayor there, to administer the oath. McDonald was a state senator in the intervening years.

“Andrew and I have had a long relationship,” Malloy said. “I admire him deeply so I asked him to do it.”

Neil Vigdor