Ned Lamont
Learn about Ned Lamont — his background, business and political journey, key policies as Connecticut governor, and memorable quotes reflecting his values and approach.
Introduction
Edward “Ned” Miner Lamont Jr. (born January 3, 1954) is an American businessman-turned-politician currently serving as the 89th governor of Connecticut. Known for combining his private sector experience with public service, Lamont’s governance emphasizes bipartisanship, infrastructure, education, and modernizing government operations.
Early Life and Family
Lamont was born in Washington, D.C. on January 3, 1954.
When he was about seven, the family moved to Laurel Hollow, Long Island, New York. Thomas W. Lamont, former chair at J. P. Morgan & Co., and a grand-nephew of Corliss Lamont.
Lamont attended Phillips Exeter Academy, where he was involved in school media. Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Harvard College in 1976, followed by an MBA from Yale School of Management in 1980.
Business Career and Early Public Service
After completing his MBA, Lamont worked in cable television and media. He joined Cablevision in Connecticut, overseeing startup operations in Fairfield County. Campus Televideo, a company connecting campuses with cable and satellite services; later this evolved into parts of Lamont Digital Systems, a venture investing in new media startups.
In local government, Lamont was elected selectman in Greenwich, Connecticut, serving from 1987 to 1989.
Political Career and Elections
Senate Run & Early Attempts
In 2006, Lamont ran in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate and defeated incumbent Joe Lieberman in the primary. However, Lieberman ran as an independent in the general and won.
He sought the Democratic nomination for Connecticut governor in 2010 but lost to Dannel Malloy in the primary.
Governor of Connecticut
Lamont ran again for governor in 2018, winning both the nomination and the general election, and was sworn in as Connecticut’s 89th governor on January 9, 2019.
As governor, Lamont has signed several significant pieces of legislation: legalizing recreational cannabis, online gambling, and sports betting.
During his first term, he also pursued measures such as instituting sustainability goals for state operations, banning certain legal defenses (like the “gay panic” defense), and gun safety reforms.
Policy Focus & Leadership Style
Lamont positions himself as a pragmatic, business-minded Democrat who values bipartisanship and government efficiency.
Key areas of focus include:
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Infrastructure & Transportation: Upgrading rail, transit systems, and fiber / broadband expansion.
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Climate & Energy: Emphasizing clean energy, sustainability in government operations, and regional cooperation.
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Housing & Affordability: Promoting policies to ease housing costs, expand access, and stabilize communities.
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Education & Workforce: Investing in schools, higher education, and skills training to match economic needs.
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Modernizing Government: Using digital tools to streamline state services and reduce bureaucracy.
He often speaks of reaching across the aisle and seeking commonsense, bipartisan solutions as part of his governing philosophy.
Memorable Quotes
Here are select quotations attributed to Ned Lamont that reflect his governing mindset and values:
“From the day I was elected, I began focusing on governing the best way I know how — transparently, openly, and in a way that encourages debate, dialogue and discussion on all sides of an issue.”
“As Governor, it’s my job to work on behalf of everyone in Connecticut and to reach across the aisle to find commonsense, bipartisan solutions to the challenges confronting our state.”
“Connecticut has always taken pride in our leadership role when it comes to climate, and when we can combine that with a stronger economy, fast transit systems, and regional cooperation, that’s a win for all of us.”
In earlier contexts:
“Warrantless wiretapping is acting like they’re above the law.” (June 2006, on civil liberties)
“No more funny math in budget; balanced for future.” (on fiscal responsibility)
These quotes give insight into his priorities—transparency, balance, climate commitment, and respect for civil liberties.
Lessons & Observations
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Leverage private sector experience in public service. Lamont translated his entrepreneurial background into governance approaches.
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Persistence pays off. After losses in earlier political runs, he successfully ran for governor later in life.
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Pragmatism over ideology. He often emphasizes bipartisan solutions and efficient governance rather than pure partisanship.
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Balance ambition with realism. His policies often aim for incremental change (infrastructure, modernization) rather than sweeping revolutions.
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Communication is central. His quoted statements highlight transparency, debate, and dialogue as pillars of his leadership style.