Tag: Susan Bysiewicz

For all the time they spent insulting each other on the campaign trail, Governor-elect Ned Lamont and his failed Republican challenger Bob Stefanowski seem to have gotten friendlier, while retaining their differences. Either that, or they’re embracing the adage to “keep your friends close and your enemies closer.” The businessmen-turned-politicians sat down for a private lunch last week, the details of which are in limited supply. The meeting was yet another step in Lamont’s transition plan, which includes speaking with people across the political spectrum to come up with solutions for the state. “It was great,” Lamont said Tuesday. “Very friendly, very supportive. He really cares about the state and wants to stay involved.” Both Lamont and Stefanowski declined to provide specifics of what they talked about — likely the state’s economic troubles, the solutions to which divided them in many during the campaign. But since the election, Lamont has promised to bring people of all political persuasions and backgrounds to the table, including Stefanowski. “We talked about the campaign and we talked about the state, and we talked about ways we (can) stay in touch and work together because he believes in the state as do I,” Lamont said. “We got to know each other pretty well in those green rooms and during the campaign, and he’s a good man who cares about the state and wants to stay involved and that’s my job to make that productive.” The meeting happened a week ahead of a transition summit Lamont and Lieutenant Governor-Elect Susan Bysiewicz hosted this week, which brought more than 300 people to Eastern Connecticut State University to come up with policy proposals for the next administration. “I am concerned that since the election the discussion from Democrats has centered around legalizing marijuana, a new toll study suggesting we raise a billion dollars, 70 percent of that would be Connecticut residents, and raising the minimum wage by 50 percent.

Typically, diversity for the Democratic Party has meant re-nominating Denise Nappier, who is African American, to run for state treasurer. John Blankley is white. There is talk that some Democrats are looking to avoid acrimony and possibly win back the support of the black community by making sure Wooden, a former Hartford city council president, walks away with the endorsement without a primary. “Democratic voters should be allowed to judge the merits of the candidates for themselves,” Bhargava said. “From the beginning our simple ask was that delegates and voters choose who is best for the state treasurer office,” Arulampalam said Thursday. He said their message has resonated with a lot of people and “I hope the delegates will choose the person they want to see serve in the treasurer’s office.” Wooden’s campaign said the reason they’re picking up delegate support is his track record. ”Shawn Wooden is the right pick for state treasurer because of his diverse investment experience, progressive values, and vision for the future,” Brett Broesder, a spokesperson for the Wooden campaign said. Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin has also endorsed Wooden, even though the Hartford delegates seem to be split between Arulampalam and Wooden. New Haven has 97 delegates, Bridgeport has 90, and Hartford has 78 delegates. Vincent Mauro Jr., head of New Haven’s Democratic Town Committee, said he doesn’t believe there’s any sort of coordination regarding his delegates when it comes to the race for treasurer.