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After suffering losses during election campaigns in 2006 and 2010, Democrat Ned Lamont finally emerged victorious Wednesday to become the next governor of Connecticut.
The tight race between Lamont and Republican Bob Stefanowski, also a businessman, lasted until the next morning. Mr. Stefanowski said he called Mr. Lamont to concede and wish him success.
In his first remarks as elected governor, Mr. Lamont, 64, said he was eager to work with legislators from both parties, as well as with union leaders and the world of business. business. He said that he would choose a transition team by the end of the week.
"I have to bring people together," Lamont said. "Tomorrow is a new start for the state of Connecticut."
Mr. Lamont became a household name in Connecticut in 2006 after defeating Sen at the time. Joe Lieberman at the Democratic primary. He would lose to Mr. Lieberman, a third party candidate, in the general election. Mr. Lamont then went on to run for governorship in 2010, bowing to Governor Dannel Malloy in the Democratic primary.
Among the most pressing problems of the Lamont administration in 2019, the government will tackle the state financial crisis and a budget deficit of $ 4.4 billion for the next biennium . Mr. Lamont has an advantage that the outgoing Democratic governor, Malloy, does not have: Democrats.
"I will get the best ideas from anyone to overcome this financial crisis," said Mr. Lamont.
The state Senate is currently divided equally between Democrats and Republicans. Republicans have successfully used the link in the Senate to influence bills put to the vote, and this dynamic has shut down Malloy, an unpopular incumbent, at this year's budget discussions.
But Democrats won six Senate seats, giving them an advance of 24 to 12. Democrats in the House of Representatives won 12 seats and now outnumber GOPs 92-59.
"The legislative results have been quite substantial in terms of the gains made by both chambers," said Martin Looney, the highest democratic party in the Senate. "We see this as a mandate for the policies we advocate."
Looney said his caucus in 2019 would be pushing to raise the minimum wage and pass family medical leave legislation.
Len Fasano, the highest Republican in the Senate, did not ask for comments.
Taxes have become a major theme of the campaign and will play an important role in how Mr Lamont chooses to tackle the budget deficit.
During the election campaign, Mr. Lamont said that Mr. Stefanowski's proposal to eliminate income tax was unrealistic.
"I hope that by focusing relentlessly on this issue, we will have begun the discussion on ways to reduce the tax burden for families in Connecticut," said Stefanowski Wednesday in a statement.
Mr. Lamont said he wanted to keep income taxes flat and that he had the intention of reducing property taxes and taxes on automobiles.
Making the state more business friendly also remains one of its top priorities for 2019, said Mr. Lamont, a cable television entrepreneur.
"My door is going to be open," said Mr. Lamont. "I will do everything in my power to defend small businesses and large corporations."
Write to Joseph De Avila at [email protected]
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