Lamont Loses Second Bid For Elective Office In CT

Ned Lamont lost his second bid for elective office in Connecticut.  WNPR’s Jeff Cohen has more.

Lamont’s headquarters never had the feel of a place that was winning.  Finally, just after 9:30, red-eyed campaign staffers made their way to the ballroom at Testo’s Restaurant in Bridgeport.  After a concession speech from Lamont’s running mate Mary Glassman, the now former candidate took the stage.

“I called up Dan a few minutes ago and I congratulated him. I congratulated him on a forceful and disciplined campaign. He won, and as Mary said, we’re going to do everything we can to unite behind the Democratic ticket, go forward and win in November. That’s what we do as Democrats.”

But not everyone at Testo’s was terribly keen on the idea of supporting Malloy.  Especially those who thought Lamont was the subject of unfair negative advertising. Here’s blogger Pat Carroll from the blog Connecticut Bob:

“I think it’s been outrageous. I think it harms the Democratic Party. I think that it’s going to be very hard to get people back together tomorrow. I’m a nurse. There’s no Band-Aid big enough.  I will not support Dan Malloy actively for governor. I don’t have any respect for the way he’s run this campaign.”

New Haven Mayor John DeStefano, who ran and beat Malloy four years ago, said the tone of the campaign’s ads didn’t bother him much. But what concerned him – even before the results cam in – was the low voter turnout.

“Low turnout to me suggests voters are disinterested or don’t feel there’s an issue that the candidates are discussing that’s important to them and their lives.  If that’s the case, and Democrats don’t have a sharp message in November, that puts us at risk.”

After his concession speech, Lamont said the campaign took a sour twist towards the end and that his team could have responded better.  And as for his supporters…

“You know, I know what a lot of folks are feeling. And the campaign took a tough turn.  But tomorrow’s a new day, I’ll get my guys I’ll talk to them, we’ll get together, we’ll heal, and we’ll go forward and I think we’ll be united and I’ll get some support for Dan.”

The test of just how well he can do that will come in November.