George Jepsen
George Jepsen | |
---|---|
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24th Attorney General of Connecticut | |
In office January 5, 2011 – January 9, 2019 | |
Governor | Dan Malloy |
Preceded by | Richard Blumenthal |
Succeeded by | William Tong |
Chair of the Connecticut Democratic Party | |
In office 2003–2005 | |
Preceded by | John Olsen |
Succeeded by | Nancy DiNardo |
Majority Leader of the Connecticut State Senate | |
In office 1997–2003 | |
Preceded by | James T. Fleming |
Succeeded by | Martin Looney |
Member of the Connecticut State Senate from the 27th district | |
In office January 1991 – January 2003 | |
Preceded by | Richard Blumenthal |
Succeeded by | Andrew McDonald |
Member of the Connecticut House of Representatives from the 148th district | |
In office January 1987 – January 1991 | |
Preceded by | Richard Cunningham |
Succeeded by | Anne McDonald |
Personal details | |
Born | Hattiesburg, Mississippi, U.S. | November 23, 1954
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse | Diana Sousa |
Children | 2 |
Education | Dartmouth College (BA) Harvard University (MPP, JD) |
Website | Government website |
George Christian Jepsen[1] (born November 23, 1954) is an American lawyer and politician who served as the 24th attorney general of Connecticut from 2011 to 2019.
Jepsen was a State Senator from Connecticut's 27th Senate district, representing Stamford and part of Darien, and served in the Connecticut Senate from 1991 to 2003.[2] During his time in the Senate, he served as Senate Majority Leader from 1997 to 2003.[2] Prior to that, he served in the Connecticut House of Representatives from 1987 to 1991, representing part of Stamford in Connecticut's 148th House district.[2] After leaving the State Senate, he became Chairman of the Connecticut State Democratic Party from 2003 to 2005.[3][4][5]
Early life and education
[edit]Jepsen was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.[6] A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Dartmouth College, he earned his J.D. degree from Harvard Law School with honors and also earned a master's degree in public policy from the Kennedy School of Government.[2] To help pay for his education, he worked as a teaching fellow in constitutional law for former Watergate prosecutor Archibald Cox.[2]
Career
[edit]![]() | This section contains content that is written like an advertisement. (January 2011) |
Following graduation, Jepsen worked as staff counsel for Carpenters Local Union 210 for Western Connecticut.[2][7] For nearly ten years, Jepsen negotiated contracts for wages and benefits, represented injured workers, ensured job safety, and advocated for different bidding practices.[2]
In private practice, Jepsen worked at some of Connecticut's top law firms.[2] His legal experience included work with the probate court, estate planning, representing small business in contract negotiations, government compliance, and real estate transactions.[2] He also defended individuals in the criminal courts and served as counsel to clients in the civil courts.[2] Jepsen successfully worked on complex legal issues as part of a successful appellate team in a number of cases before the Connecticut Supreme Court.[2]
Connecticut General Assembly (1987–2003)
[edit]Jepsen served 16 years in the Connecticut General Assembly, first as State Representative from the 148th House District, and then as a State Senator from Connecticut's 27th Senate District, the last six as Majority Leader.[2] As a legislator, Jepsen worked in a variety of areas including clean energy, gun safety, and civil rights.[2] Jepsen assisted in the development of laws that reformed HMO and insurance practices.[2] As Senate Majority Leader, Jepsen worked to develop bills that protect Connecticut's natural assets.[2]
Jepsen co-authored the Open Space Trust Fund, an initiative that sets aside $10 million in funding for the purchase of open space.[2]
Jepsen worked to pass legislation to revitalize blighted areas in brownfields, including efforts to expand state financial assistance to re-developers.[2] This was incentivized by tax credits to businesses that invested in redevelopment of contaminated properties in the state.[2]
Jepsen helped the passage of legislation to replace Connecticut's "Sooty Six" power plants with cleaner plants that have lower emissions.[2] These six old coal-burning plants were contributing to Connecticut's unique air pollution problem and rise in asthma rates.[2] This initiative also involved new funding to upgrade sewage treatment plants for cleaner rivers.[2]
As Senate Majority Leader, Jepsen became a national leader against the National Rifle Association.[2] He helped pass landmark legislation prohibiting the sale or possession of assault weapons, mandating trigger locks, and necessitating tougher background checks.[2] This work was nationally recognized by the Brady Campaign and the Million Mom March.[2]
As Senate Majority Leader, Jepsen worked to ban sexual orientation discrimination, to strengthen hate crime laws, and to expand Connecticut's living will laws.[2]
Jepsen supported health insurance reform to improve covered services for mental illness and emergency room conditions.[2] He helped mandate that health insurers cover the costs of mammograms and birth control and helped pass legislation to outlaw “drive-through” mastectomies and childbirth deliveries, so insurers cover at least a 48-hour hospital stay.[2]
2010 Connecticut Attorney General election
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5d/George_Jepsen_%28Attorney_General%29.jpg/220px-George_Jepsen_%28Attorney_General%29.jpg)
Jepsen announced on January 6, 2010, that he would form an exploratory committee for Attorney General,[8] receiving the Democratic Party's endorsement on May 22.[9]
On July 12 Jepsen announced he had qualified for public financing in the Citizens Election Program.[10]
On November 2, 2010, he was elected as attorney general of Connecticut[11]
2014 Connecticut Attorney General election, 2014
[edit]Jepsen was reelected in 2014, defeating Republican opponent Kie Westby.[12]
Electoral history
[edit]Connecticut House of Representatives 148th District Election, 1986 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
Democratic | George Jepsen | 2,779 | 53.72 |
Republican | Marie Hawe | 2,394 | 46.28 |
Connecticut House of Representatives 148th District Election, 1988 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
Democratic | George Jepsen (inc.) | 4,263 | 55.28 |
Republican | James Rubino | 3,448 | 44.72 |
Connecticut State Senate 27th District Election, 1990 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
Democratic | George Jepsen | 11,827 | 52.10 |
Republican | Werner Depuy | 10,082 | 44.41 |
Petition | Richard Cunningham | 793 | 3.49 |
Connecticut State Senate 27th District Election, 1992 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
Democratic* | George Jepsen (inc.) | 18,692 | 54.12 |
Republican | Nick Pavia | 15,843 | 45.88 |
*Jepsen was also listed on the A Connecticut Party line.
Connecticut State Senate 27th District Election, 1994 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
Democratic | George Jepsen (inc.) | 11,545 | 60.82 |
Republican | Mike Morris | 7,438 | 39.18 |
Connecticut State Senate 27th District Election, 1996 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
Democratic | George Jepsen (inc.) | 19,212 | 63.97 |
Republican | Vincent Mobilio | 10,820 | 36.03 |
Connecticut State Senate 27th District Election, 1998 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
Democratic | George Jepsen (inc.) | 13,071 | 66.76 |
Republican | Joseph Valdes | 6,509 | 33.24 |
Connecticut State Senate 27th District, 2000 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
Democratic | George Jepsen (inc.) | 19,732 | 66.69 |
Republican | Joseph Bongiorno | 9,855 | 33.31 |
Connecticut Attorney General Election, 2010 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
Democratic* | George Jepsen | 591,725 | 53.71 |
Republican | Martha Dean | 480,310 | 43.59 |
Green* | Stephen Fournier | 29,759 | 2.70 |
*Jepsen was also listed on the Working Families Party line; Fournier was also listed on the Independent Party line.
Connecticut Attorney General Election, 2014 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
Democratic* | George Jepsen (inc.) | 590,225 | 56.73 |
Republican* | Kie Westby | 427,869 | 41.12 |
Green | Stephen Fournier | 22,361 | 2.15 |
*Jepsen was also listed on the Working Families Party line; Westby was also listed on the Independent Party line.
References
[edit]- ^ Diana Sousa to Wed George C. Jepsen in May, December 17, 1989, The New York Times
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa "George Jepsen Biography Page". ct.gov/AG. Retrieved January 9, 2012.
- ^ Stowe, Stacey (2003-03-02). "Parties Get New Leaders". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-02-21.
- ^ "Post-Election Ups and Downs".
- ^ Stowe, Stacey (13 February 2005). "There is No Hiding from Nancy DiNardo". The New York Times.
- ^ "Jepsen, WNBA, Bethany Fire Department, One Innocent Life". Milford Mirror. 2016-07-21. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
- ^ "Local Dems meet AG candidate". The New Britain Herald News. June 5, 2010. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
- ^ Bailey, Melissa (January 6, 2010). "Jepsen's Running For AG". New Haven Independent. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
- ^ "Jepsen wins AG nomination | The Connecticut Mirror". Ctmirror.org. May 22, 2010. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
- ^ Phaneuf, Keith (July 12, 2010). "Jepsen qualifies for public financing in AG's race". CT Mirror. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
- ^ "Jepsen Declares Victory in Attorney General Race". courant.com. November 2, 2010. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
- ^ Mahony, Edmund H. (November 4, 2014). "Jepsen Wins Again In Attorney General Race". Hartford Courant.