The Moderate Democrat Caucus in the House of Representatives issued a statement in support of Gov. Ned Lamont as the two-term governor mulls running for a third term and faces backlash from the more progressive wing of his party over his fiscal restraint and his vetoing of two key pieces of legislation.
“Under Governor Lamont’s leadership, Connecticut remains in strong fiscal health, earning continued confidence from national credit agencies and setting a standard among our neighboring states,” the eleven members of the House of Representatives wrote in a June 30 press release. “While others have resorted to tax hikes and cuts to fund essential services, our latest biennial budget strengthens the Rainy-Day Fund, pays down $1 billion in pension debt, and launches a $250 million childcare initiative that will provide free or low-cost care to thousands of families for years to come.”
Lamont has presided over a turnaround in the state’s financial situation following a decade of budget deficits, escalating debt and pension payments, and increasing taxes. The state has enjoyed years of budget surpluses, most of which have gone toward building a full rainy day fund, paying down billions in pension debt, and implementing an income tax cut for the first time since the income tax was enacted.
Although Lamont has defended those fiscal guardrails for his first two terms, the latest biennial budget diverts some of the surplus to an endowment fund for child daycare, while many influential lawmakers like Senate President Pro-Tem Martin Looney, D-Hartford, along with a bevy of nonprofits, state employee unions, and politically progressive organizations were looking to adjust the guardrails in order to capture more of the surplus revenue, which is largely tied to Wall Street earnings.
According to the latest polling, Lamont is the ninth most popular governor in the United States and has hinted that he will likely seek a third term as Republican candidates like Westport First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker and New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart begin to make their pitches to the public.
But Lamont’s two terms have had their share of controversy, too, ranging from the State Pier to the federal investigation into and arrest of Kosta Diamantis, his former deputy secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, on corruption charges, and even the governor cutting down trees in his Greenwich backyard. During his time, Lamont has pushed some unpopular policies before pulling back, like tolling the state highways and following California’s lead to mandate that only electric vehicles be sold in the state.
The governor’s recent veto of two controversial bills has some of the progressive wing of the Democrat party indicating he may end up with an opponent in the primary. The vetoes included HB 5002, aimed at expanding transit-oriented housing, affordable housing, and the conversion of commercial space into residential space.
Housing advocates had been trying for years to get a bill through the General Assembly without success until this year, but backlash from municipalities and organizations opposed to the state interfering with local control, pushed hard enough that Lamont vetoed the bill, saying he’d like to a compromise worked out in special session with municipalities taking the lead.
The second bill – Senate Bill 8 – would have given unemployment benefits to workers on strike. Lamont said it sent the wrong signal to businesses that may be looking to come to Connecticut, but it also angered union leaders who comprise a base of his support.
Rep. Josh Elliott, D-Hamden, told the Hartford Courant the governor will not run unopposed, while Sen. Saud Anwar, D- South Windsor, penned an op-ed asking the governor to step aside in 2026. Much of the criticism of the moderate governor revolves around legislation he blocked or vetoed, particularly increasing taxes on the wealthy, essentially painting him as being “out of touch.”
The Moderate Democrats praised Lamont’s vetoes, saying the governor “demonstrated the thoughtful, steady, leadership Connecticut needs.”
“In politics, controversy is inevitable. Difficult issues spark passionate debate, occasional breaks from party lines, and sometimes hard feelings,” the representatives wrote. “That’s okay—disagreement is a natural part of democracy, as long as we respect each other’s perspectives. Regardless of where one stands, progress depends on compromise and practical solutions. While legislators are elected to represent their districts, the Governor must take a broader view and act in the best interest of all Connecticut residents.”
The Moderate Democrat Caucus, also known as the Blue Dog Caucus, is comprised of roughly 22 members and co-chaired by Rep. Kerry Wood, D-Rocky Hill, and Rep. Pat Boyd, D-Pomfret, although only eleven appear on the statement. In April, the caucus warned against increasing taxes on the wealthy in anticipation of federal cuts to programs like Medicaid, indicating they were working with the governor to “ensure Connecticut continues on a path of fiscal responsibility.
“As proud moderate Democrats, we believe we reflect the views of the majority of Connecticut residents—and we’re proud to stand with a Governor who does the same,” the Moderate Democrat Caucus wrote in their latest statement.
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