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HARTFORD — Most of the switches going on after the Republicans’ first ballot for governor ended seem to be from Larry DiNardis to either Tom Foley or Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele.
“It looks good right now,” said Foley, when asked if he expected to get the endorsement on the first ballot.
HARTFORD — The first ballot for governor has ended, and now delegates have the chance to switch their votes. A source indicates that Tom Foley won a plurality of votes, with Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele and Hartford business executive Oz Griebel pulling enough votes to quality for a primary.
Kathleen O’Rourke/Staff photo
By Bill Cummings
HARTFORD — State Comptroller Nancy Wyman easily won the nomination for lieutenant governor Saturday during the state Democratic convention, but challenger Mary Glassman quickly vowed to wage a primary.
Wyman is the choice of party-endorsed gubernatorial candidate Dan Malloy of Stamford, while Glassman is the preferred running mate of Ned Lamont, who is also expected to wage a primary against Malloy.
Wyman won by a wide margin, capturing 1,236 votes to 577 for Glassman, who is Simsbury’s first selectman.
As the tally was announced, Wyman received a standing ovation from delegates, with many waving Malloy/Wyman signs in the air.
“The Democrats are going to send the Malloy/ Wyman ticket to the governors office. We want to make Connecticut a better place and we can do that with your help,” Wyman said.
“I served as state comptroller to bring fiscal responsibility to the state of Connecticut. But we have an enormous deficit and threaten the financial stability of our state for years to come. That is going to change after Nov. 2. With your help, we are going to win this thing,” Wyman said.
“Dan has made tough, forward-looking decisions that revitalized the city of Stamford. People talk about making government more efficient, we will do it. When you call the governor’s office for now on, you will hear a real voice on the other end,” Wyman said.
Meanwhile, Glassman, Simsbury’s first selectman, said she was pleased with her showing and pledged to wage a primary, along with Lamont.
“Absolutely. It’s a great day to start the process. We are really excited to bring back leadership to Connecticut,” Glassman said.
“I’m proud of our campaign and excited to bring our issues out there. This is a process, a first step. The work begins tomorrow,” Glassman said.
But as Glassman prepared to battle, Wyman basked in her victory.
“Dan and I have the combined experience to serve the people of this great state. It’s going to be tough and it’s going to be a lot of work. We cannot afford another four years of a part time administration,” Wyman said.
“We want an administration that listens to the people and responds to the people. We will earn the election one voter at a time, and on our records and our shared values. I am honored and proud to accept the nomination for lieutenant governor of the state of Connecticut,” Wyman said.
Wyman’s office handles the state’s accounting and financial matters, administers employee benefits and prepares various financial reports. She has been a frequent critics of the Rell administration’s plan to offer early-retirement plans as a way to reduce the state’s spending.
Wyman was elected four times as comptroller, the most recent in 2006.
In 2006 Glassman was Democratic gubernatorial candidate Malloy’s running mate. She won her primary, but Malloy lost to New Haven Mayor John DeStefano Jr. DeStefano and Glassman, in turn, were trounced in the November election by Gov. M. Jodi Rell and Fedele.
After her remarks, Wyman was joined onstage by Malloy, who gave her a big hug. The two waved to the crowd, thanked supporters on the stage and than exited.
Malloy later appeared with Wyman and answered questions from reporters, who mostly focused on the coming primary. Both said they welcomed the vote to come.
“We are going to run on what we expect to do,” Wyman explained, while dismissing questions about whether a divided Democratic Party will benefit Republicans.
Malloy called Wyman his “partner,” and said he could think of no one better to run with. “It’s more like a partnership. There are plenty of issues facing the state for us to divvy up.”
In nominating Wyman, Nikki O’Neill, wife of former Gov. William O’Neill, recalled her husband’s years as governor. “Not once since 1986 have we elected a Democrat as chief executive officer of our state. We need to nominate candidates who will appeal to a broad cross section of Connecticut residents. When I saw Dan Malloy, I said there is a candidate I can enthusiastically support,” O’Neill said.
“We have missed his type of leadership around here,” Wyman noted, referring to former Gov. O’Neill.
HARTFORD — Democratic delegates are now voting for lieutenant governor, choosing between Nancy Wyman, Dan Malloy’s preferred running mate and the state’s current comptroller, and Mary Glassman, Simsbury’s First Selectman and Ned Lamont’s choice for lieutenant governor.
Bridgeport was the first to vote, casting 73 for Glassman and 1 for Wyman.
Kathleen O’Rourke/Staff photo
HARTFORD – Ned Lamont told reporters he was “thrilled” by the vote, which allows him to launch a gubernatorial primary against the Democrat’s officially endorsed candidate, Dan Malloy.
He said he’s not participating in the public-financing program because he doesn’t want to “fight Republicans with one arm tied behind our back.” As Malloy was finishing his acceptance speech in the convention hall, Lamont approached reporters and said he was thrilled to set the scene for a primary.
“There have been many many years of experienced politicians running this state,” Lamont said. “I think the people want a change. I think they want a different type of leader: someone who’s not afraid to come in and challenge the status quo.”
Lamont has made it clear he intends to tap his personal wealth, in expectation of facing possible GOP nominee Tom Foley, himself a wealthy businessman. Lamont used $17 million of his own money in the 2006 race.
HARTFORD –
Kathleen O’Rourke/Staff photo
Dan Malloy reached the stage with his wife, Cathy, at 11:18 a.m.
“Ladies and gentlemen, what a difference four years makes,” he said to a standing crowd. “If you remember something today, remember this, we made history,” he said, stressing his participating in the voluntary financing program, in which he raised $250,000 in small contributions and will have as much as $8 million to run a primary and general election race.
“I am proud to be here as the clean-election candidate,” he said. “I will not let you down. We will win this battle. We will begin a new generation of Democratic leadership in the state of Connecticut.”
He said that his experience reducing crime and increasing educational programs in Stamford, will be his hallmark if elected governor.
Copyright © 2013 Hearst Communications Inc.
