Debate Answers
We have captured debate answers from both candidates during the 2018 election. You can review a summary of the debate questions and answers here.
Ned Lamont (Incumbent)
https://portal.ct.gov/governor
Ned Lamont is the first Connecticut Governor in 80 years to get his start as a businessman and job creator. When he and wife Annie moved to Connecticut in their twenties, they felt like they’d hit the jackpot. With both practical business experience and first-hand knowledge of what it takes to raise a family here, Lamont is committed to giving all Connecticut residents—both current and prospective—the same feeling.
Edward Miner “Ned” Lamont, Jr. was sworn into office on January 9, 2019 as the 89th governor of Connecticut.
Signed Bills
The proof is in the pudding, as they say. To really see what Ned Lamont stands for, the first thing to do is look at his voting record where we can see what bills he signed.
HeathCare
- Signed Psychedelic-Assisted Mental Health Treatment Program
- Signed authorize protection for reproductive rights
- Signed Establishes a $25 Cap on Insulin Prices
Business
- Signed expand data privacy protections
- Signed authorize certification of aerospace projects
- Signed Establishes Paid Family and Medical Leave
- Signed Increases the Minimum Wage to $15 Dollars Per Hour
Law and Order
- Vetoed limit use of solitary confinement
- Signed authorize access to juvenile records
- Signed expand definition of domestic abuse to include coercive control
- Signed Rescind the Criminal Records for Low-Level Felonies and Misdemeanors
- Signed Establishes Independent Inspector General to Investigate Police Shootings and Illegal Uses of Force
- Signed Limits Cooperation Between Local Law Enforcement and Federal Immigration Agencies
Discrimination
- Signed acknowledge that racism is a public health crisis
- Signed prohibit discrimination based on hairstyle
Environment
- Signed Authorizes Climate Change Adaptation for Shoreline and Inland Communities
- Signed Expands the Types of Bottles and Cans that Can be Recycled
Voting
- Signed Expands Access to Absentee Voting
- Signed Extends Convicted Felons’ Voting Rights if They are Committed to Confinement
Gun Control
Social Media
Often candidates are more honest on their twitter feeds than anywhere else.
About Ned Lamont
Lamont got involved in public service shortly after college, founding a weekly newspaper in a town hit by the loss of its largest employer. Covering town meetings and the Board of Selectmen, he helped to bring voice and transparency to a community working to recover from job losses and reinvent itself. Later, as a member of both the Greenwich Board of Selectmen and the Board of Estimate and Taxation, Lamont worked in a bipartisan effort to safeguard a multimillion-dollar budget and deliver results for constituents. For four years, Lamont also served as Chairman of the State Investment Advisory Council, overseeing a multibillion-dollar state pension fund. (Read more)
Bob Stefanowski
https://bobforgovernor.com
Born and raised in North Haven, Connecticut, he is a former business executive of General Electric, 3i Group plc, UBS, and Dollar Financial Group. He resides in Madison, Connecticut.
Bob attended Fairfield University and after graduation started a job as an auditor at Price Waterhouse Cooper, working at the Gold Building in Hartford, where he met the love of his life, Amy. Since then, Bob has built a career rooted in accountability, leadership and humility; and a family grounded in faith, honesty and respect.
Parental Bill of Rights
On September 6th, 2022, Bob Stefanowski proposed the parental bill of rights.
- Let families, not school districts decide when and how to discuss sensitive sex education issues with young children
- Restore parental choice for healthcare decisions for children
- Raise the age of parental consent for social media access
- All school choice and expand access to charter, magnet, and technical schools
- Increase funding for tutoring programs to help combat persistent learning loss in the wake of the pandemic
- Dedicate a portion of the states $5 billion surplus to better fortify CT schools, protect our children and train staff
- Ensure the timely improvement state wide school air quality
- Ensure the physical safety of all students by prohibiting biological males from competing against girls in high school athletics
Platform Issues
- Public Safety – Residents, parents, teachers, community leaders and law enforcement are all concerned about rising crime in Connecticut
- Affordability – People love Connecticut and don’t want to leave, but many simply can’t afford to live here anymore
- Accountability – We need to elect leaders in state government who value every tax dollar they spend as much as you – the person earning it – does.
- Stronger Connecticut Cities – People are looking for leadership, not excuses. If rising crime, the highest unemployment in the nation, massive education achievement gaps and lack of affordability are acceptable public policy outcomes, the political system and those who control it have failed
- Environment – Public lands, beaches, Long Island Sound and parks are a great source of pride for our residents, and I plan to keep it that way
- Transportation – Connecticut needs a reliable, modern and affordable transportation system.
- Parents, Teachers, and Students – All Connecticut kids are constitutionally entitled to an equal opportunity to quality education.
- Job Creators and Job Growth – Connecticut’s economy must be built by inspiring people to start small businesses and create jobs in communities across Connecticut
- Veterans – Each and every veteran deserves a government that values their sacrifice and works to serve them and their families
Social Media
Twitter can tell us more about a candidate than any platform stances. Bob’s twitter feed is no exception.
Media
- Bob Stefanowski says if elected, he’d eliminate 200 taxes and fees
Meet Bob
Bob Stefanowski grew up in a family like many of us are blessed to have.
His roots are on Dixwell Avenue in New Haven, where his family lived in a three-family home. Having his grandparents on the first floor meant lots of stories about how his family came to America through Ellis Island from Poland. Bob’s great grandmother shucked oysters in Fair Haven, he’s always been proud to have a family history in some of the world’s finest oysters!
Eventually, Bob’s parents saved up enough to move his family to North Haven. Bob’s dad worked his way up from the mailroom at SNET (Southern New England Telephone) and ended up working in management, while his mom worked as a unionized clerk. She took time away when he and his sisters were little, only to go back into the office to help put them through college.
Bob learned the value of a dollar and the importance of hard work from his parents who both worked multiple jobs to save up and provide for their family.
Bob attended Fairfield University and after graduation started a job as an auditor at Price Waterhouse Cooper, working at the Gold Building in Hartford, where he met the love of his life, Amy. Since then, Bob has built a career rooted in accountability, leadership and humility; and a family grounded in faith, honesty and respect.
Bob is both a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Financial Analyst. He received his Master’s in Business Administration from Cornell University, and served as a Wharton Business School Fellow, taught as an adjunct faculty at NYU Stern Business School, London Business School, Cambridge University and as a visiting professor of management practice at Oxford University.
Bob’s experience spans the globe and includes positions as Chief Executive of some of the world’s largest companies, including General Electric, formerly based in Connecticut, and UBS. (Read More)
Hot Button Issues
A list of definitions for each issue can be found here.