Milford Mayor Benjamin Blake announced his endorsement Friday of Ned Lamont, Democratic candidate for governor, saying the Greenwich businessman has the best experience and vision to lead the state.
Blake made the announcement along with First Selectwoman Beth Heller of Woodbridge and First Selectman Curtis Read of Bridgewater.
“Ned has the character and courage to take on the significant challenges the next governor will face,” Blake said. “He appeals to both sides of the aisle as a leader who inspires and delivers success.”
Heller said, “Ned has a vision for Connecticut and the experience in business and the public sector to make it happen. We are facing some difficult fiscal years ahead, and I believe that Ned Lamont is the leader who can make our state a great place to live and raise a family again.”
Read said, “I support Ned Lamont because he is progressive and understands what government can and should do. He knows what business needs to succeed to get Connecticut’s economy growing again. Ned has the intelligence and experience to chart a new course for Connecticut. He is also a natural leader who listens and cares for people from every walk of life.”
Lamont announced his bid for governor in January and has won the support of state attorney general George Jepson, delegates at the AFL-CIO convention, and donations from 1,100 individuals of 106 cities and towns across Connecticut.
Lamont is a business leader and has taught as a professor at Central Connecticut State University for the last decade. He served on the Greenwich Board of Selectmen and challenged former Senator Joe Lieberman in 2006 over his support for the Iraq War. In 2008, he was an early supporter of Barack Obama, helping him win the support of Connecticut Democrats. In 2010, he challenged current governor Dannel P. Malloy for the nomination for governor. Malloy is not seeking a third term.