Kevin Lembo

Kevin P. Lembo is a Democratic elected official, currently the Connecticut State Comptroller, the statewide elected official responsible for reporting on state finances, administering health care plans for public employees and paying the state's bills. He first took office on January 5, 2011. Lembo is the first openly gay individual to be elected to statewide office in Connecticut.^[1]

Biography

In 2004, Lembo became Connecticut's first State Healthcare Advocate, and was reconfirmed to the position in 2008. Along with Nancy Wyman, his predecessor in the Comptroller's office, he was co-chair of the state SustiNet healthcare plan.^[2]

In 2010, Lembo won the endorsement of the Connecticut Democratic Party at their state convention, and later defeated Michael Jarjura in the August 10, 2010 Democratic primary. In the November 2 general election, he defeated Republican candidate Jack Orchulli. Lembo won a second term by defeating Republican Sharon McLaughlin in 2014.^[3] He is currently up for reelection after declining to pursue a run for Governor.

As Comptroller, Lembo has launched several transparency websites^[4] and won a political victory when Governor Dannel Malloy, a Democrat, signed an Executive Order creating a database of state business tax credits at Lembo's insistence.^[5] In 2013, the Council on Freedom of Information awarded Lembo the Bice Clemow Freedom of Information Award in recognition of his commitment to transparency.^[6]

Lembo and Malloy have clashed frequently since. Lembo voted against several of Malloy's economic development projects including a $22 million grant to Bridgewater Associates, the largest hedge fund in the world.^[7] Lembo also voted against a $10 million study regarding highway tolls.^[8] The two have also disagreed numerous times over the status of Connecticut's financial outlook.^[9]

Lembo co-chaired the Connecticut Retirement Security Board and in 2016, earning passage of legislation aimed at giving private-sector workers access to retirement savings accounts if one is not offered by their employer. The program is estimated to serve approximately 600,000 Connecticut workers.^[10]

In 2018, Lembo authored legislation forcing pharmaceutical corporations to disclose details of how they set prescription drug prices. The bill passed unanimously. ^[11] As Comptroller, he has often clashed with drug companies, banning compound drug sales that cost millions of dollars per year^[12] and uncovering a kickback scheme that has resulted in a lawsuit by the State Attorney General.^[13]

Lembo was targeted by the anti-gay American Family Association in 2016 after removing them from a state-sponsored charitable giving campaign. The AFA responded by flooding the Comptroller's Office with phone calls and emails.^[14]

Personal life and education

Lembo is married to Charles Frey and lives in Guilford, Connecticut. They have three adult children. Lembo and Frey are also licensed foster parents.^[15] The adoption of the couple's oldest children resulted in a lawsuit against the state of New York after a judge denied the finalization of the adoption because Lembo and Frey were an unmarried same-sex couple.^[16]

Lembo earned a B.A. at Charter Oak State College in 2002, and a Master's in Public Administration from California State University in 2004.^[17]

Awards

In 2004, Lembo was commissioned as a Kentucky colonel for his work as an advocate for children in foster care. For his work promoting open government, he received the Bice Clemow Award from the Connecticut Council on Freedom of Information in 2013.^[18]

Electoral history

*Lembo was also listed on the Working Families Party line.

*Lembo was also listed on the Working Families Party line; McLaughlin was also listed on the Independent Party line.

References

External links

• Office of the State Comptroller
• Campaign homepage
• The Gaying of Connecticut Politics