George Jepsen

Last updated

George Jepsen
George Jepsen.jpg
24th Attorney General of Connecticut
In office
January 5, 2011 –January 9, 2019

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)

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

George Jepsen speaking at a Department of Justice presentation. George Jepsen (Attorney General).jpg
George Jepsen speaking at a Department of Justice presentation.

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

Jepsen was reelected in 2014, defeating Republican opponent Kie Westby. [12]

Electoral history

Connecticut House of Representatives 148th District Election, 1986
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticGeorge Jepsen2,77953.72
RepublicanMarie Hawe2,39446.28
Connecticut House of Representatives 148th District Election, 1988
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticGeorge Jepsen (inc.)4,26355.28
Republican James Rubino 3,44844.72
Connecticut State Senate 27th District Election, 1990
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticGeorge Jepsen11,82752.10
RepublicanWerner Depuy10,08244.41
PetitionRichard Cunningham7933.49
Connecticut State Senate 27th District Election, 1992
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic*George Jepsen (inc.)18,69254.12
Republican Nick Pavia 15,84345.88

*Jepsen was also listed on the A Connecticut Party line.

Connecticut State Senate 27th District Election, 1994
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticGeorge Jepsen (inc.)11,54560.82
RepublicanMike Morris7,43839.18
Connecticut State Senate 27th District Election, 1996
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticGeorge Jepsen (inc.)19,21263.97
RepublicanVincent Mobilio10,82036.03
Connecticut State Senate 27th District Election, 1998
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticGeorge Jepsen (inc.)13,07166.76
RepublicanJoseph Valdes6,50933.24
Connecticut State Senate 27th District, 2000
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticGeorge Jepsen (inc.)19,73266.69
RepublicanJoseph Bongiorno9,85533.31
Connecticut Attorney General Election, 2010
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic*George Jepsen591,72553.71
Republican Martha Dean 480,31043.59
Green* Stephen Fournier 29,7592.70

*Jepsen was also listed on the Working Families Party line; Fournier was also listed on the Independent Party line.

Connecticut Attorney General Election, 2014
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic*George Jepsen (inc.)590,22556.73
Republican*Kie Westby427,86941.12
GreenStephen Fournier22,3612.15

*Jepsen was also listed on the Working Families Party line; Westby was also listed on the Independent Party line.

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References

  1. ↑ Diana Sousa to Wed George C. Jepsen in May, December 17, 1989, The New York Times
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 "George Jepsen Biography Page". ct.gov/AG. Retrieved January 9, 2012.
  3. ↑ Stowe, Stacey (2003-03-02). "Parties Get New Leaders". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2023-02-21.
  4. ↑ "Post-Election Ups and Downs".
  5. ↑ Stowe, Stacey (13 February 2005). "There is No Hiding from Nancy DiNardo". The New York Times.
  6. ↑ "Jepsen, WNBA, Bethany Fire Department, One Innocent Life". Milford Mirror. 2016-07-21. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  7. ↑ "Local Dems meet AG candidate". The New Britain Herald News. June 5, 2010. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  8. ↑ Bailey, Melissa (January 6, 2010). "Jepsen's Running For AG". New Haven Independent. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  9. ↑ "Jepsen wins AG nomination | The Connecticut Mirror". Ctmirror.org. May 22, 2010. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  10. ↑ Phaneuf, Keith (July 12, 2010). "Jepsen qualifies for public financing in AG's race". CT Mirror. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
  11. ↑ "Jepsen Declares Victory in Attorney General Race". courant.com. November 2, 2010. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
  12. ↑ Mahony, Edmund H. (November 4, 2014). "Jepsen Wins Again In Attorney General Race". Hartford Courant.
Connecticut House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the Connecticut House of Representatives
from the 148th district
1987–1991		Succeeded by
Connecticut State Senate
Preceded by Member of the Connecticut State Senate
from the 27th district
1991–2003		Succeeded by
Preceded by
James T. Fleming
 Majority Leader of the Connecticut State Senate
1997–2003		Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by
John Olsen
 Chair of the Connecticut Democratic Party
2003–2005		Succeeded by
Legal offices
Preceded by Attorney General of Connecticut
2011–2019		Succeeded by
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