State Comptroller Kevin Lembo — a top-tier Democratic candidate to succeed Gov. Dannel P. Malloy — unexpectedly dropped his exploratory campaign for governor Thursday and instead announced he is running for re-election to his current post.
“Now more than ever, Connecticut needs someone in the state comptroller’s office who they can count on as an independent government watchdog and advocate for essential fiscal and economic reform,” Lembo said in a statement.
Lembo entered the crowded field of gubernatorial candidates in April, weeks after Malloy announced he would not seek a third term. First elected comptroller in 2010, Lembo was seen as a leading candidate by political strategists on both sides of the aisle — and his departure surprised numerous candidates in the race.
With Lembo exiting the contest, attention turned to Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman, who has yet to announce her re-election plans. Lembo said on multiple occasions that he would bow out of the race if Wyman chose to enter.
Wyman was out of state Thursday on a long-planned vacation. Juliet Manalan, Wyman’s communications director, said Thursday the lieutenant governor is “still considering her options.”
Despite being asked repeatedly by reporters about her intentions over the past several months, Wyman, 71, has made no public statements about her political future. Since time is starting to run out in the difficult process of raising money to obtain public financing, some insiders believe that Wyman’s lengthy delay means she will not be running.
A Tolland Democrat who previously served as state comptroller for 16 years, Wyman has won multiple statewide elections and has more name recognition than her Democratic counterparts. Republicans note that Wyman has routinely appeared at Malloy’s side during numerous press conferences and has never made a high-profile break with Malloy on any policies or votes during the past seven years.
But another Democratic candidate who also promised to defer to Wyman remains in the race. Jonathan Harris, the former mayor of West Hartford and former state consumer protection commissioner, said he will be continuing with his exploratory run.
“I’m going to keep doing what I’ve been doing since April,” Harris said Thursday. “I’m going to continue to stay out there and run a very positive campaign. … Right now I’m exploring, but we’re going to ramp it up as we go forward.”
Lembo’s announcement sent a jolt through the race, which has largely operated under the radar for the past few months as politicians were consumed with the long-running state budget stalemate.
Asked about Lembo’s decision, Harris said, “I didn’t expect to hear it today.”
Middletown Mayor Dan Drew, a Democrat who has formally announced his run for governor, said he was surprised by Lembo’s decision. He praised his would-be rival’s “policy acumen and character.”
“I’ve known and respected Kevin for many years,” Drew said. “I think he’s been an excellent comptroller, and I respect his decision.”
Bridgeport Mayor Joseph P. Ganim said that he, too, was surprised by Lembo’s announcement, saying the comptroller helped Bridgeport save money on municipal pension funds. The departure changes the race in the scramble for delegates with a major candidate dropping out.
“I’m sure there were people predisposed, if not committed, to Kevin,” Ganim said. “That creates an opportunity to talk to them. He was the only statewide candidate, formally or informally, for governor. As the last individual to get in, it creates an opportunity for me to reach out to people.”
After serving time in prison after conviction by a jury on 16 felony counts that included racketeering and bribery as mayor, Ganim, 57, has filed a federal lawsuit in order to obtain public financing for a run for governor. Under current state law, convicted felons cannot qualify for the public funds.
Chris Mattei, a former federal prosecutor who is also exploring a gubernatorial bid, released a statement praising Lembo.
“I’ve appreciated Kevin’s participation in this campaign and the conversation over the key challenges we face as a state,” Mattei said. “My focus continues to be on Connecticut’s future — transforming our state into a 21st century economy, creating good-paying jobs, making health care more affordable through a public option, strengthening our schools at all levels and restoring trust in government. I know that Kevin will continue to serve the people as comptroller as he’s always done — with thoughtfulness, caring and distinction.”
Previously, Attorney General George Jepsen said in May that he would not be running for governor. With Jepsen expected to seek re-election, the Democrats are looking to have three veteran statewide campaigners running in 2018, along with Lembo and Secretary of the State Denise Merrill.
Lembo, who turns 54 next week, said he made his decision after thoughtful consideration about his future.
“This journey has also reinforced and reminded me what I’m most passionate about: a health care system and a state financial and economic system that works for everyone,” Lembo said. “I am determined to continue that fight, and believe the best place for me to do that is as state comptroller. And so — after reflection, consideration and consultation with my family — I am officially declaring my candidacy for re-election.”
Lembo will likely be running against Republican Mark Greenberg, a wealthy Litchfield business executive who has run unsuccessfully three times for Congress in the 5th District.
.galleries:after {
content: ”;
display: block;
background-color: #c52026;
margin: 16px auto 0;
height: 5px;
width: 100px;
}
.galleries:before {
content: “Politics Videos”;
display: block;
font: 700 23px/25px Belizio,Georgia,’Droid Serif’,serif;
text-align: center;
color: #1e1e1e;
}
Subscribe and listen to the Capitol Watch Podcast
iTunes | Soundcloud | Google Play | TuneIn
