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Former New York Lieutenant Governor Enters Connecticut Gubernatorial Race
Betsy McCaughey, the 77-year-old former Republican lieutenant governor of New York, has formally entered Connecticut’s gubernatorial race, filing paperwork Thursday to seek the Republican nomination. McCaughey, currently a conservative host on Newsmax and columnist for the New York Post, aims to challenge Democratic incumbent Governor Ned Lamont, who is pursuing a third term.
McCaughey, who pronounces her surname like “McCoy,” resides in Greenwich, an affluent suburb that is also home to Governor Lamont. She cited encouragement from friends and social media followers as motivation for her candidacy.
“There’s a desperate hunger in this state for a competent, battle-tested fighter who will turn the state around, who will take on Ned Lamont and the other what I call lunatic lefties up in Hartford,” McCaughey told The Associated Press in a phone interview.
Her campaign platform prioritizes economic relief for Connecticut homeowners, including property tax reduction and lowering electricity costs. Specifically, she proposes capping annual property tax increases at 2% and eliminating property taxes for most senior citizens. McCaughey also opposes a recent state law signed by Lamont in November that aims to increase affordable housing—legislation Republicans have criticized as undermining local control over housing development.
The Democratic Governors Association quickly responded to McCaughey’s announcement. Spokesperson Kevin Donohoe, quoted by Lamont’s campaign, said: “Betsy McCaughey has spent the last years of her career shilling for Donald Trump’s deeply unpopular agenda that is driving up costs for middle-class families. The last thing Connecticut families need right now is a Trump mouthpiece as their governor.”
While McCaughey supports abortion rights, she acknowledges alignment with most of former President Trump’s policies. This stance could position her differently in a Republican primary field that already includes former New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart and Greenwich state Senator Ryan Fazio.
The 72-year-old Lamont, a wealthy former cable television entrepreneur, faces his own primary challenge from progressive Democratic state Representative Josh Elliott of Hamden.
McCaughey’s political career has been marked by significant shifts and controversies. With deep Connecticut roots, having grown up in Milford and Westport, she holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Vassar College and a doctorate in U.S. constitutional history from Columbia University. Beyond politics, she founded Reduce Infection Deaths, an educational organization focused on preventing hospital infections.
She first gained national attention in the 1990s when her critique of President Bill Clinton’s healthcare reform plan in The New Republic helped derail the initiative. In 1994, George Pataki selected her as his running mate in New York’s gubernatorial race. After their victory, she served as lieutenant governor from January 1995 to December 1998.
However, her relationship with Pataki deteriorated. During his 1996 State of the State address, she remained standing throughout his speech, prompting speculation about her attempting to upstage him—a claim she denied, saying she simply forgot to sit. She also faced accusations of mistreating household staff and misusing her state police security detail, allegations she rejected.
The rift with Pataki culminated in her removal from the 1998 Republican ticket. In response, McCaughey switched to the Democratic Party and unsuccessfully sought its nomination for governor. She subsequently continued her campaign as the Liberal Party candidate but finished far behind both Pataki and Democratic candidate Peter Vallone.
Interestingly, this year’s gubernatorial race in New York features a similar dynamic, with Democratic Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado challenging incumbent Governor Kathy Hochul in the primary.
As Connecticut’s election season progresses, McCaughey’s controversial political history and high-profile media presence ensure she will be a notable figure in what promises to be a contentious campaign.
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6 Comments
Property taxes and energy costs are certainly top concerns for many CT residents. McCaughey’s policy proposals in these areas could resonate, though the political dynamics of the state will be a key factor. It will be interesting to see how she positions herself relative to the incumbent governor.
Curious to see how McCaughey’s background as a conservative commentator will shape her campaign messaging and strategy. Her calls for economic relief seem sensible, but will she be able to appeal to a broad enough coalition to win in a blue-leaning state like Connecticut?
Interesting to see a former NY politician running for governor in CT. Her focus on economic relief and reducing taxes could resonate with voters concerned about rising costs. Curious to see how her campaign platform and positions evolve as the race progresses.
McCaughey’s experience as a former lieutenant governor could give her an advantage, though her age and partisan leanings may be points of contention. It will be worth watching how she positions herself compared to the incumbent and other challengers.
Agreed, her political experience could be both an asset and a liability depending on how she presents it. The cost-of-living issues she’s prioritizing seem timely, but she’ll need to connect with voters beyond just partisan rhetoric.
As a former NY politician, McCaughey brings name recognition and experience to the table. But transitioning to a new state’s political landscape can be tricky. Her ability to connect with CT voters and differentiate herself from the incumbent will be crucial to her success.