Businessman Ned Lamont has won the Democratic nomination for Connecticut governor, defeating Bridgeport mayor and ex-convict Joe Ganim.
Lamont's victory comes 12 years after he defeated U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman in a Democratic showdown, only to lose the general election when Lieberman ran as an independent. That race was seen as part of a national referendum on the Iraq War.
Lamont has said he'll "save Connecticut" from President Donald Trump's policies, whether it's the weakening of environmental standards or abortion access.
In an interview Tuesday night Lamont said he's going to be an optimistic champion for the state.
"I’m going to turn it around by treating people with respect and getting everybody at the table, that includes labor, that includes business, Republicans and Democrats. My door is going to be open, that’s how we are going to solve this," Lamont told NBC Connecticut.
Lamont says he'll bring a businessman's approach to solving the state's fiscal woes. He supports unions and a higher minimum wage.
Ganim was elected Bridgeport mayor in 2015 despite serving seven years in prison for public corruption. Ganim told supporters in Bridgeport Tuesday that he called Lamont to congratulate him on his win.
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"We had a good conversation and we had a conversation that’s important for Democrats and for Connecticut, and it’s about - the cause we started the battle the struggle that we saw together for a better Connecticut, a Connecticut that works for everyone," Ganim said.
Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy decided against running for a third term.
