HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - The Latest on the Democratic State Convention (all times local):
7:45 p.m.
Connecticut Democrats are closing out their convention by endorsing former Hartford City Council President Shawn Wooden for state treasurer, but he faces a challenge this summer.
Two candidates, former Wall Street trader Dita Bhargava (Bar-GAH’-va) of Greenwich, and Hartford attorney Arunan (Ah-ROO’-nan) Arulampalam (AR’-ah-LAMPH’-uh-lam) secured enough delegate support at Saturday’s Democratic Party convention to automatically qualify for the Aug. 14 primary.
Wooden is a partner at the Hartford law firm of Day Pitney LLP, where he leads the firm’s public pension plan investment practice. He called on Democrats to unite and fight for the party’s principles.
Republicans last weekend endorsed retired investment officer Thaddeus “Thad” Gray of Simsbury for the position. He faces a challenge from Westbrook state Sen. Art Linares.
Democratic Treasurer Denise Nappier did not seek re-election this year.
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6:30 p.m.
Connecticut Democrats have endorsed Stamford Rep. William Tong as the party’s candidate for attorney general.
But the co-chairman of the General Assembly’s Judiciary Committee faces a likely primary challenge on Aug. 14. Two candidates, Wethersfield state Sen. Paul Doyle and former federal prosecutor Chris Mattei of Hartford received enough support from delegates at Saturday’s Democratic state convention to automatically qualify.
Democratic Attorney General George Jepsen did not seek re-election this year.
Like many of the candidates for Connecticut’s top lawyer, Tong pledged to fight the policies of Republicans and President Donald Trump, promising he’ll be the “first and last line of defense to protect our way of life in Connecticut” if elected in November.
Tong warned that the GOP is “coming after us and we have to fight back.”
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4 p.m.
Connecticut Democrats have endorsed former Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz (BY’-suh-wits) for lieutenant governor, but the veteran politician is facing what could be a tough primary challenge.
Eva Bermudez-Zimmerman, a 30-year-old labor negotiator from Sandy Hook, managed to win nearly 40 percent of the support of the delegates at Saturday’s Democratic state convention. She needed 15 percent of the vote to automatically qualify for the Aug. 14 primary.
Bermudez-Zimmerman’s strong showing comes amid concern from Democrats about the ticket lacking enough racial and ethnic diversity. The 56-year-old Bysiewicz, who stepped away from running for governor to become Greenwich businessman Ned Lamont’s running mate, is white. Bermudez-Zimmerman, a Latina, says “new leaders” are needed to change Connecticut for everyone.
Bysiewiecz urged Democrats to unite and defeat Republicans.
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2:40 p.m.
Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim says he’s pushing ahead with plans to petition his way onto the primary ballot, in hopes of ultimately challenging Greenwich businessman Ned Lamont for the Democratic nomination for governor.
Ganim fell short of winning the 15 percent of delegates he needed at Saturday’s Democratic convention to automatically qualify for the Aug. 14 primary.
Ganim says it’s important for Democratic voters to have a choice and for the party to have voice that represents the cities and “diversity and inclusion.” He’s using both volunteers and paid workers to help collect the roughly 15,500 signatures he needs to appear on the ballot, claiming he can defeat Lamont with his grassroots support.
Retired Greenwich executive Guy Smith is also collecting signatures.
Lamont pledged to fight for Bridgeport’s interests.
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1:45 p.m.
Connecticut Democrats are backing Greenwich businessman Ned Lamont for governor in November.
The 2006 U.S. Senate candidate easily defeated Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim, with more than 87 percent of the delegate support at Saturday’s Democratic State convention. Ganim and retired Greenwich business executive Guy Smith are trying to collect the roughly 15,500 signatures needed to appear on the Aug. 14 primary ballot.
Lamont is rallying the delegates, pledging to work to “keep Connecticut blue” in November. State Democrats are facing a tough election, given voter dissatisfaction with the economy and former Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, who is not seeking a third term.
Lamont is pledging to be the “education governor” and to work to persuade businesses to stay in the state and jumpstart the economy.
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1:30 p.m.
Democrats have endorsed Secretary of the State Denise Merrill for a third term - after a slight wait.
Merrill received the support of 1,644 delegates at Saturday’s Democratic State Convention, easily defeating her challenger, Woodbridge Democratic Town Committee Chairwoman Karen Talamelli Cusick, who garnered 201 votes.
Democrats are using a new electronic voting system this year for the first time, which has created some delays in the vote-tallying.
Merrill joked about how irony of the election of the secretary of the state was held up because of a new voting system “has not escaped me.”
State Comptroller Kevin Lembo’s endorsement went much faster. Facing no opposition, Lembo automatically became the nominee. He is seeking a third term.
Close races are expected for Treasurer and Attorney General.
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12:15 p.m.
Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim is pleading with Connecticut delegates to give Democrats a choice for governor.
The Democratic contender on Saturday acknowledged his “improbable comeback” to politics after serving seven years in prison for corruption, telling the convention hall, “I made my mistakes, I broke the law, I left office and came back.” But the mayor of the state’s largest city said he’s “asking for a second chance opportunity” from the party faithful.
Ganim needs the support of at least 15 percent of the delegates to automatically qualify for a spot on the Aug. 14 primary ballot.
If he doesn’t qualify, Ganim is still working to collect roughly 15,000 signatures so he can petition his way onto the ballot.
Delegates are expected to endorse Greenwich businessman Ned Lamont for governor.
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10:50 a.m.
Delegates at the Connecticut Democratic convention appear mostly united in wanting to endorse Greenwich businessman Ned Lamont for governor, but there’s disagreement over to back for the second-in-command-job.
A heated fight was expected Saturday for the party’s endorsement for lieutenant governor between former Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz (BY’-suh-wits) and Newtown union negotiator Eva Bermudez-Zimmerman.
Lamont recently persuaded Bysiewicz to drop her bid for governor and run instead as his pick for lieutenant governor.
Middletown delegate Laurie McFadden lives in Bysiewicz’s hometown, but says she’s backing Bermudez-Zimmerman and hopes she’ll win at least enough votes to participate in the Aug. 14 primary. McFadden says she has nothing against Bysiewicz, but believes the party needs more youth and diversity on the ticket.
Delegates are endorsing other under-ticket races as well.
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