George Jepsen Explained

George Jepsen
Office:24th Attorney General of Connecticut
Governor:Dan Malloy
Term Start:January 5, 2011
Term End:January 9, 2019
Predecessor:Richard Blumenthal
Successor:William Tong
Office1:Chair of the Connecticut Democratic Party
Term Start1:2003
Term End1:2005
Predecessor1:John Olsen
Successor1:Nancy DiNardo
Office2:Majority Leader of the Connecticut State Senate
Term Start2:1997
Term End2:2003
Predecessor2:James T. Fleming
Successor2:Martin Looney
State Senate3:Connecticut State
District3:27th
Term Start3:January 1991
Term End3:January 2003
Predecessor3:Richard Blumenthal
Successor3:Andrew McDonald
State House4:Connecticut
District4:148th
Term Start4:January 1987
Term End4:January 1991
Predecessor4:Richard Cunningham
Successor4:Anne McDonald
Birth Date:23 November 1954
Birth Place:Hattiesburg, Mississippi, U.S.
Party:Democratic
Spouse:Diana Sousa
Children:2
Education:Dartmouth College (BA)
Harvard University (MPP, JD)

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. During his time in the Senate, he served as Senate Majority Leader from 1997 to 2003. 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. After leaving the State Senate, he became Chairman of the Connecticut State Democratic Party from 2003 to 2005.[2] [3] [4]

Early life and education

Jepsen was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.[5] 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. To help pay for his education, he worked as a teaching fellow in constitutional law for former Watergate prosecutor Archibald Cox.[6]

Career

Following graduation, Jepsen worked as staff counsel for Carpenters Local Union 210 for Western Connecticut.[7] For nearly ten years, Jepsen negotiated contracts for wages and benefits, represented injured workers, ensured job safety, and advocated for different bidding practices.

In private practice, Jepsen worked at some of Connecticut's top law firms. His legal experience included work with the probate court, estate planning, representing small business in contract negotiations, government compliance, and real estate transactions. He also defended individuals in the criminal courts and served as counsel to clients in the civil courts. Jepsen successfully worked on complex legal issues as part of a successful appellate team in a number of cases before the Connecticut Supreme Court.

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.[6] As a legislator, Jepsen worked in a variety of areas including clean energy, gun safety, and civil rights.[6] Jepsen assisted in the development of laws that reformed HMO and insurance practices.[6] As Senate Majority Leader, Jepsen worked to develop bills that protect Connecticut's natural assets.

Jepsen co-authored the Open Space Trust Fund, an initiative that sets aside $10 million in funding for the purchase of open space.[6]

Jepsen worked to pass legislation to revitalize blighted areas in brownfields, including efforts to expand state financial assistance to re-developers. This was incentivized by tax credits to businesses that invested in redevelopment of contaminated properties in the state.

Jepsen helped the passage of legislation to replace Connecticut's "Sooty Six" power plants with cleaner plants that have lower emissions. These six old coal-burning plants were contributing to Connecticut's unique air pollution problem and rise in asthma rates. This initiative also involved new funding to upgrade sewage treatment plants for cleaner rivers.

As Senate Majority Leader, Jepsen became a national leader against the National Rifle Association. He helped pass landmark legislation prohibiting the sale or possession of assault weapons, mandating trigger locks, and necessitating tougher background checks. This work was nationally recognized by the Brady Campaign and the Million Mom March.

As Senate Majority Leader, Jepsen worked to ban sexual orientation discrimination, to strengthen hate crime laws, and to expand Connecticut's living will laws.

Jepsen supported health insurance reform to improve covered services for mental illness and emergency room conditions.[6] 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.[6]

2010 Connecticut Attorney General election

See main article: Connecticut attorney general election, 2010. 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
RepublicanJames Rubino3,44844.72
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
RepublicanNick Pavia15,84345.88
*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
RepublicanMartha Dean480,31043.59
Green*Stephen Fournier29,7592.70
*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.

External links

|-|-|-|-

Notes and References

  1. https://www.nytimes.com/1989/12/17/style/diana-sousa-to-wed-george-c-jepsen-in-may.html Diana Sousa to Wed George C. Jepsen in May
  2. News: Stowe . Stacey . 2003-03-02 . Parties Get New Leaders . en-US . The New York Times . 2023-02-21 . 0362-4331.
  3. Web site: Post-Election Ups and Downs .
  4. News: There is No Hiding from Nancy DiNardo . The New York Times . 13 February 2005 . Stowe . Stacey .
  5. Web site: 2016-07-21 . Jepsen, WNBA, Bethany Fire Department, One Innocent Life . 2023-10-23 . Milford Mirror . en-US.
  6. Web site: George Jepsen Biography Page . ct.gov/AG . January 9, 2012.
  7. Web site: Local Dems meet AG candidate . The New Britain Herald News . June 5, 2010 . June 15, 2010.
  8. Web site: Bailey . Melissa . Jepsen's Running For AG . New Haven Independent . January 6, 2010 . June 15, 2010.
  9. Web site: Jepsen wins AG nomination | The Connecticut Mirror . Ctmirror.org . May 22, 2010 . June 15, 2010.
  10. Web site: Phaneuf. Keith. Jepsen qualifies for public financing in AG's race. CT Mirror. July 12, 2010. July 12, 2010.
  11. Web site: Jepsen Declares Victory in Attorney General Race. courant.com. November 2, 2010. November 4, 2010.
  12. News: Mahony. Edmund H.. Jepsen Wins Again In Attorney General Race. Hartford Courant. November 4, 2014.