Primary sets stage

Fierce election battle expected in November

Low turnout didn’t stop Tuesday’s Connecticut primary races from bringing exciting and surprising results, setting the stage for a three-month battle for many of the state’s most powerful offices as former Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy will go up against Greenwich millionaire Tom Foley for governor on Nov. 2.

Most dramatic in Tuesday’s vote was Malloy’s decisive upset of Greenwich businessman Ned Lamont in the Democratic primary for governor. Lamont had held a double-digit lead in the weeks preceding the election, and a Quinnipiac University poll put Lamont ahead by three points on Monday.

The election results shot far outside the margin of error, with Malloy winning 58 to 42 percent.

Malloy will face Republican nominee and former U.S. Ambassador to Ireland Tom Foley, who eeked out a victory over current Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele, 42 to 39 percent, in a hotly contested race. Businessman and MetroHartford Alliance CEO Oz Griebel came in a distant third, at 19 percent, in the GOP race.

Malloy’s running mate for lieutenant governor, Nancy Wyman, also won in the primary. Foley, who did not choose a running mate, will run with Republican primary winner Mark Boughton, who was Fedele’s choice for lieutenant.

In his acceptance speech Tuesday night in Hartford, broadcast on local television news stations, Malloy struck an enthusiastic tone. “You have joined me in an effort to recreate Connecticut,� he said. “So now what do we do? We are going to go on from this day to Nov. 2 and wage a campaign on behalf of the working-class people of the state of Connecticut.�

Downstate at his campaign headquarters in Bridgeport, Lamont offered optimism in his support of Malloy. “We’re going to do everything we can to unite behind the Democratic ticket and win in November,� he said. “We don’t look back, we look forward.�

Lamont added some advice for Malloy. “The way you win is by telling the truth,� he said. “You’re going to need a candidate up there who tells you this is how you get an honest tough-minded budget.�

Lamont, who had enjoyed a double-digit lead as recently as two weeks ago, was considered the front-runner throughout the race. His defeat follows a 2006 loss to Sen. Joseph Lieberman, which also materialized late in the campaign.

Less competitive but equally newsworthy Tuesday was a victory for former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon in the Republican race to replace outgoing Sen. Chris Dodd. McMahon easily defeated and outspent opponents Peter Schiff and Rob Simmons, but ended up with a minority of the total vote. She will go up against the endorsed Democratic candidate, state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, who was unopposed in the Democratic primary.

Greeting supporters with the song “Eye of the Tiger� in the background, McMahon called for smaller government and decreased taxes in celebrating her GOP victory. “I understand that there are people that are hurting because I’ve seen it all across our state,� she said. “I’ve had a great fear that the American Dream was in the greatest jeopardy that it’s been in our lifetime, and I didn’t want to lose that opportunity for our children and our grandchildren. I’m alarmed by the reckless spending, tax increases and tremendous debt that’s coming from Washington.�

Pundits noted that McMahon did not have her husband, Vince, by her side during her acceptance speech. Political analysts also wondered aloud if negative campaigning on all sides contributed to low voter turnout, which came in at just near 30 percent.

Also victorious on the Republican side was attorney general candidate Martha Dean, who will face unopposed Democratic candidate George Jepsen in the race to fill the impending vacancy.

Sam Caligiuri won the GOP primary for the 5th district to face incumbent Democrat Chris Murphy in November.

The Democratic nominee for secretary of the state is State Rep. Denise Merill, who will face Republican Jerry Farrell Jr., the alderman from New Haven. For comptroller, Kevin Lembo of Guilford won the Democratic primary over Michael Jarjura of Waterbury. Lembo will face Republican nominee Jack Orchulli of Darien.