Ned Lamont

Ned Lamont
Lamont in 2006
Member of the Board of Selectmen of Greenwich
In office
1987–1989
Personal details
Born Edward Miner Lamont Jr.
(1954-01-03) January 3, 1954
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s)
Ann Huntress (m. 1983)
Children 3
Education Harvard University (BA)
Yale University (MBA)
Website Campaign website

Edward Miner Lamont Jr. (born January 3, 1954)[1] is an American businessman and politician who is the Democratic nominee for Governor of Connecticut in the 2018 election.[2]

A member of the board of selectmen of Greenwich, Connecticut from 1987 to 1989, he defeated incumbent United States Senator Joe Lieberman in the state's Democratic primary election in 2006. In the general election, both Lamont and Republican candidate Alan Schlesinger were defeated by Lieberman, who had opted to run as an independent candidate. In 2010, he ran for the Democratic nomination for Governor of Connecticut. He was defeated by former Stamford mayor Dan Malloy, who went on to win the general election.

Early life and education

Lamont was born on January 3, 1954, in Washington, D.C. to Camille Helene (née Buzby) and Edward Miner Lamont. His mother was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, to parents from the U.S. mainland.[3] His father, an economist, worked on the Marshall Plan and later served in Department of Housing and Urban Development during the Nixon administration.[4] He is the great-grandson of former J. P. Morgan & Co. chairman Thomas W. Lamont[5][6] and a grand-nephew of former American Civil Liberties Union director Corliss Lamont.[7]

Lamont attended Phillips Exeter Academy, and served as president of the student newspaper, The Exonian. After graduating Phillips Exeter in 1972, Lamont earned a Bachelor of Arts from Harvard College in 1976 and a Master of Business Administration from the Yale School of Management in 1980.[8]

Professional career

In 1977, Lamont was editor for The Black River Tribune, a small weekly newspaper in Ludlow, Vermont. During his time there, he worked alongside future notable journalists Jane Mayer and Alex Beam.[9] After graduating from Yale, Lamont entered the cable television industry, managing the start-up of Cablevision's operation in Fairfield County, Connecticut.[8] In 1984, he founded his own cable television company, Campus Televideo, which provides satellite and telecommunication services to colleges and universities across the country.[10][11] Campus Televideo was acquired by Austin, Texas-based Apogee on September 3, 2015.[12] He is currently chair of Lamont Digital Systems, a telecommunications firm that invests in new media startups.[13][14]

Lamont has served on the board of trustees for Mercy Corps,[15] the Norman Rockwell Museum,[16] the YMCA, and the Young Presidents' Organization.[17] He has served on the advisory boards of the Yale School of Management[18] and the Brookings Institution.[17]

Political career

Before running for the United States Senate, Lamont was elected and served as a selectman in the town of Greenwich, Connecticut for one term. Lamont also served for three terms on the town finance board and chaired the state investment advisory council, which oversees the investment of the state pension funds. During his term as chair, the outperformance of pension funds reduced the unfunded liability and put funds on a stronger footing.[19]

2006 U.S. Senate election

Election results by municipality. Blue denotes win for Lamont, yellow for Lieberman.

On March 13, 2006, Lamont officially announced his campaign for the United States Senate against incumbent Joe Lieberman.[20]

On July 6, Lamont faced off against Lieberman in a 51-minute televised debate which covered issues such as the Iraq War, energy policy, and immigration. Lieberman argued that he was being subjected to a "litmus test" on the war, insisted that he was a "bread and butter Democrat", and on a number of occasions asked, "who is Ned Lamont?" During the debate, Lieberman asked Lamont if he would disclose his income tax returns, which he afterwards did.[21]

Lamont focused on Lieberman's supportive relationship with Republicans, telling him "if you won't challenge President Bush and his failed agenda, I will." He criticized Lieberman's vote for the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which Lamont dubbed the "Bush/Cheney/Lieberman energy bill." In response to Lamont's assertion that he supported Republican policies, Lieberman stated that he had voted with the Democratic caucus in the Senate 90% of the time. Lamont argued that the then three-term incumbent lacked the courage to challenge the Bush administration's handling of the Iraq War.[21] He also criticized Lieberman for supporting federal intervention in the Terri Schiavo case.[22][23]

On July 30, Lamont received the endorsement of The New York Times editorial board.[24] That same day, The Sunday Times reported that former President Bill Clinton was believed to have warned Lieberman not to run as an independent if he lost the primary to Lamont.[25] Throughout the election, Lamont significantly funded his own campaign, with donations exceeding $12.7 million,[26] as he had pledged not to accept money from lobbyists.[27]

Lamont won the primary with 51.79% of the vote as opposed to Lieberman's 48.21%;[28] it was the only Senate race in 2006 where an incumbent lost re-nomination. In his concession speech, Lieberman announced that he would stand by his prior statements that he'd run as an independent if he lost the Democratic primary.[29] Lieberman won the general election with approximately 50% of the vote; exit polls showed that Lieberman won the vote of 33% of Democrats, 54% of independents, and 70% of Republicans.[30]

Lamont at the 2007 YearlyKos conference at the McCormick Place in Chicago.

Research 2000 polls commissioned by the blog Daily Kos in 2007 and 2008 found that Lamont would win a Senate rematch with Joe Lieberman by growing margins.[31][32] However, Lamont stated that he was not considering another campaign for Senate.[33]

2008 presidential campaign activity

Lamont was one of the key supporters in Connecticut for the Chris Dodd presidential campaign.[34][35] After Dodd dropped out of the race, Lamont became the Connecticut campaign co-chair for Barack Obama's presidential campaign.[36] Lamont was credited with attracting the types of voters he brought to Obama's successful campaign in the Connecticut Democratic primary.[37] In March 2008, Lamont was elected as a Congressional district-level delegate from Connecticut to the 2008 Democratic National Convention, pledged to Barack Obama.[38]

2010 Connecticut gubernatorial election

On February 16, 2010, Lamont officially announced his candidacy for the 2010 gubernatorial election.[39] On May 22, 2010, he was defeated at the state Democratic convention by former Stamford mayor Dan Malloy. Lamont received 582 votes (32%) to Malloy's 1,232 votes (68%). Since Lamont won more than 15% of the vote, he appeared on the primary ballot on August 10, 2010.[40] He lost the primary election to Malloy, who received 57% of the vote to Lamont's 43%.[41]

2018 Connecticut gubernatorial election

Democratic primary results by municipality. Dark blue denotes win for Lamont, light blue for Ganim

In November 2017, Lamont began "thinking seriously" about seeking the governorship again in 2018 to succeed the retiring Malloy.[42] He officially announced his candidacy on January 17, 2018.[2] He received the party's endorsement, and chose former Connecticut Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz as his running mate. He won the Democractic primary against Bridgeport mayor and former convict Joe Ganim in a landslide of over 100,000 votes.[2][43] He will face Republican Bob Stefanowski in the general election on November 6, 2018.

Academic career

After the 2006 election, Lamont entered academia. He served as a teaching fellow at the Harvard Institute of Politics[44] and the Yale School of Management. He is currently an adjunct faculty member and chair of the Arts and Sciences Public Policy Committee at Central Connecticut State University, where he was named by the Board of Trustees as Distinguished Professor of political science and philosophy.[45]

Personal life

In 1983, Lamont married Ann Huntress. They have three children: Emily, Lindsay, and Teddy. Ann is a venture capitalist, serving as a managing partner at Oak Investment Partners;[17] in 2007, she was named number 50 in Forbes' Midas List.[46][47]

References

  1. ↑ "Happy Birthday to Greenwich's Ned Lamont Jr". Greenwich Daily Voice. January 3, 2014. Retrieved August 15, 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 Blair, Russell (January 17, 2018). "Ned Lamont Jumps Into Connecticut Governor's Race". Hartford Courant. Retrieved January 17, 2018.
  3. ↑ "Camille Lamont Obituary". The New York Times. January 14, 2015. Retrieved October 9, 2016.
  4. ↑ Nichols, John (July 27, 2006). "A Fight for the Party's Soul". The Nation. Retrieved February 8, 2013.
  5. ↑ Reitwiesner, William Addams. "Ancestry of Ned Lamont". Retrieved February 8, 2013.
  6. ↑ Krayeske, Ken (January 24, 2006). "Ned Lamont (interview)". The 40-Year Plan. Archived from the original on February 25, 2007. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  7. ↑ "The Life of Corliss Lamont". Half-Moon Foundation, Inc. May 27, 2018. Retrieved August 15, 2018.
  8. 1 2 "Ned Lamont: Democrat candidate for Governor". The Connecticut Mirror. Archived from the original on July 4, 2010. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  9. ↑ Keating, Christopher (August 2, 2010). "Unknown No Longer, Lamont Runs For Governor". Hartford Courant. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  10. ↑ Bingham, Michael C. (July 20, 2018). "Lamont in the lion's den". New Haven Biz. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
  11. ↑ Keating, Christopher (January 19, 2018). "After Selling Cable Company, Ned Lamont is 'All In'". Hartford Courant. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
  12. ↑ "Apogee Acquires Campus Televideo -- Becomes Higher Education's Largest ResNet and Video Solutions Provider". Market Wired. September 3, 2015.
  13. ↑ "Lamont Digital Systems Inc". Bloomberg. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  14. ↑ Haar, Dan (July 28, 2018). "Ned Lamont's cable business launched with tip from MTV". Connecticut Post. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  15. ↑ Portella, Joy (June 30, 2009). "Ned Lamont calls out Mercy Corps' work on The Huffington Post". Mercy Corps. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
  16. ↑ "Norman Rockwell Museum Announces New Board Members". Norman Rockwell Museum. September 9, 2011. Retrieved February 8, 2013.
  17. 1 2 3 "Ned Lamont Makes a Run for the US Senate". ilovefc.com. Moffly Media. April 19, 2006. Retrieved August 15, 2018.
  18. ↑ "Yale SOM Board of Advisors". Yale School of Management. Yale University. Retrieved August 15, 2018.
  19. ↑ "Lamont Grants MyLeftNutmeg First Blogger Interview". MyLeftNutmeg. January 13, 2006. Archived from the original on June 13, 2006. Retrieved August 3, 2006.
  20. ↑ Cordero, Melina (April 6, 2006). "Lamont courts local voters". Yale Daily News. Retrieved February 8, 2013.
  21. 1 2 "Lieberman, Lamont Face Off In NBC 30 Debate". WVIT. July 6, 2006. Archived from the original on December 25, 2007. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  22. ↑ Seder, Sam (March 21, 2006). "Why Ned Lamont is a Democrat". In These Times. Retrieved August 15, 2018.
  23. ↑ Golson, Blair (April 26, 2006). "Ned Lamont: The Truthdig Interview". TruthDig. Retrieved August 15, 2018.
  24. ↑ "A Senate Race in Connecticut". The New York Times. July 30, 2006. Retrieved August 15, 2018.
  25. ↑ Allen-Mills, Tony (July 30, 2006). "The anti-war tycoon splits Democrats". The Sunday Times. Retrieved August 3, 2006.
  26. ↑ Miga, Andrew (October 21, 2006). "Lamont Gives $2M to Flagging Campaign". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 8, 2013.
  27. ↑ Lamont, Ned (April 3, 2006). "4,000 Donors in First Quarter". LamontBlog. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  28. ↑ "Connecticut primary results". Hartford Courant. August 10, 2006. Archived from the original on March 25, 2013. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  29. ↑ "Lieberman concedes; Lamont wins primary". NBC News. August 9, 2006. Retrieved February 8, 2013.
  30. ↑ "America Votes 2006: Exit Polls". CNN. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  31. ↑ Moulitsas, Markos (April 7, 2008). "CT-Sen: Lieberman's popularity continues to slide". Daily Kos. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  32. ↑ Alarkon, Walter (July 6, 2008). "Poll: Lieberman Would Lose to Lamont". The Hill. Retrieved February 8, 2013.
  33. ↑ Pazniokas, Mark (December 8, 2010). "Lamont not looking for a rematch with Lieberman in 2012". Connecticut Mirror. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  34. ↑ Melber, Ari (February 25, 2007). "Ned Lamont Backs Habeas Corpus- and Chris Dodd". The Huffington Post. Retrieved February 8, 2013.
  35. ↑ Gombeski, Christopher (November 10, 2007). ""Ned Who" No More: An interview with Ned Lamont". The Politic. Retrieved August 15, 2008.
  36. ↑ Lamont, Ned (March 28, 2008). "Why I'm Supporting Barack Obama". The Huffington Post. Retrieved February 8, 2013.
  37. ↑ Chen, David W. (February 6, 2008). "Obama Takes Connecticut, Helped by Lamont Voters". The New York Times. Retrieved May 20, 2010.
  38. ↑ "Connecticut Democratic Delegation 2008". The Green Papers. February 5, 2008. Retrieved July 17, 2013.
  39. ↑ Pazniokas, Mark (February 16, 2010). "Lamont announces for governor, pitching himself as an outsider". Connecticut Mirror. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
  40. ↑ "Democrats: Malloy and Wyman vs. Lamont and Glassman". Connecticut Mirror. May 22, 2010. Retrieved June 11, 2010.
  41. ↑ Hernandez, Raymond (August 10, 2010). "Lamont Loses Connecticut Primary for Governor". The New York Times. Retrieved February 8, 2013.
  42. ↑ Colli, George (November 28, 2017). "Source: Ned Lamont "thinking seriously" about run for governor". WTNH. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  43. ↑ Vigdor, Neil; Altimari, Daniela; Keating, Chris; Gomez-Aceves, Sandra (May 19, 2018). "Second Chances: Democrats Endorse Ned Lamont For Governor, Joe Ganim Plans To Primary". Hartford Courant. Retrieved May 19, 2018.
  44. ↑ "Former Fellows-The Institute of Politics". Harvard Institute of Politics. Harvard University. Archived from the original on October 22, 2012. Retrieved February 8, 2013.
  45. ↑ "Faculty & Staff Listing 2013-2014" (PDF). Central Connecticut State University. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  46. ↑ Cowan, Alison Leigh (October 16, 2006). "Not-So-Hidden Asset, His Wife, Is Force in Lamont's Senate Bid". The New York Times. Retrieved February 8, 2013.
  47. ↑ "#50 Ann Huntress Lamont". Forbes. January 24, 2008. Retrieved February 8, 2013.
Party political offices
Preceded by
Joe Lieberman		 Democratic nominee for U.S. Senator from Connecticut
(Class 1)
2006		 Succeeded by
Chris Murphy
Preceded by
Dan Malloy		 Democratic nominee for Governor of Connecticut
2018		 Incumbent
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