In An Upset Victory, Malloy Wins

Money doesn't talk, As the New Haven Independent Reports -

Connecticut’s Democratic gubernatorial primary Tuesday over Greenwich businessman Ned Lamont. Malloy claimed a come-from-behind victory not just for him, but also for public financing in state elections.

Lamont spent over $9 million on the race, $8.6 million of it his own scratch. That’s more money than any gubernatorial candidate has ever spent on a campaign in Connecticut history—not just for a primary, but for a primary and general election combined. Malloy had $2.75 million to spend, most of it from the state’s public financing program.

Yet Malloy won decisively, despite polls predicting a tight race.

“That’s a lot of money, even for a rich guy” to spend on a losing race, two-time gubernatorial candidate Bill Curry remarked in a Connecticut public radio roundtable on the primary.

The result vindicated Malloy’s message to voters in Connecticut, and nationally: That public financing can give a candidate enough money to compete fairly against millionaire newcomers who try to buy elections with personal fortunes, even if the candidate doesn’t have a one-to-one match.

...more from New Haven Indepedent website...