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UK’s Farage demands Kemi Badenoch’s apology over party membership numbersFormer Gov. M. Jodi Rell died Wednesday in a Florida hospital after a brief illness. She was 78. As Connecticut’s 87th governor, Rell was only the second woman to serve as governor and she had the distinction of being one of the most popular governors ever to serve. She signed legislation making Connecticut one of the first in the United States to recognize same-sex unions. She also signed into law the landmark citizen’s election program that’s been credited with removing much of the special interests’ influence from state politics. She had served as Lt. Governor for 10 years under Gov. John G. Rowland and then stepped into the role of the state’s chief executive following Rowland’s departure under a cloud of criminal investigations. Before that, she had served for 10 years as the state representative for Brookfield and Bethel. Rell was also familiar with practicality, as was evidenced in 2009 when she pushed the term into the public conversation in Connecticut during the height of the Great Recession. News of her passing triggered an outpouring of grief, shared memories, and respect from across the political spectrum Wednesday for, among other things, her civility. Gov. Ned Lamont ordered flags to half-mast effective immediately and said they should remain lowered until sunset on the date of interment, which has yet to be determined. “Governor Rell represented the very best of Connecticut values, expanding healthcare and childcare, and making Connecticut one of the first states in the country to recognize same-sex unions,” Lamont said in a statement. “She became governor almost reluctantly and at a time of great turmoil, and she used her newly acquired authority to bring stability to state government in a way that was very much needed at the time, focusing on strengthening state ethics laws and rebuilding the trust of the residents of our state. Her style of leadership was not fabricated or manipulated in any way. The Jodi Rell that the people of Connecticut saw in public was the Jodi Rell that she was in real life – calm, rational, caring, approachable, and devoted to her family and to her state.” Lamont said that Rell had become a good friend to him through his years as governor. “We had a great bipartisan conversation at the Rell Center last year and had a lot of fun at the annual holiday parties at the Residence,” he said. “I will miss her at the door greeting Christmas well-wishers next month. We will all miss Governor Rell, who left the state a better place. Annie and I extend our condolences to the entire Rell family.” Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz said Rell was a treasured public servant. “Connecticut has lost a trailblazing political leader and treasured public servant who served our state with dedication and distinction for nearly three decades,” Bysiewicz said. “She stepped up as Connecticut’s second female governor in 2004, during a tumultuous time, and restored public trust in and brought stability back to state government. A major part of that legacy was her support for the state’s landmark public financing program, an initiative that removed the power of special interests in our political system.” Bysiewicz said she’d known Rell since being elected to the legislature in 1992. “She was hardworking, smart, and well-liked by her colleagues on both sides of the aisle. She brought integrity, compassion, and civility to public service, and she was truly a role model for many women in government,” Bysiewicz wrote. “She was a strong advocate for our veterans, military men and women, and members of our National Guard. Our state mourns her passing, and Governor Lamont and I send our condolences to her children, Michael and Meredith, and to her grandchildren.” House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora, R-North Branford, said the state had lost “a dear friend” on Wednesday. “We have all lost a dear friend and wonderful human being in the sad passing of former Gov. Jodi Rell. Most people I have spoken with were truly shocked by the news. But we can be heartened by the warm memories we shared of Jodi Rell, who served her beloved state and hometown of Brookfield with dignity, class, and honor. Her sunny demeanor and outlook will be missed but never forgotten,” Candelora wrote. He said that as a freshman state representative elected in 1984, Rell rose through the ranks of her caucus and was recognized quickly for her ability and dedicated work to make Connecticut a better place to live for all. “Jodi Rell ascended to the highest office in the state but never lost sight of where she came from, never forgot the people she met along the way or what it meant to represent the millions of her constituents, all of Connecticut,” Candelora wrote. “When she was introduced as the Republican candidate for Lieutenant Governor to the party convention in 1994 the apt song ‘Pretty Woman’ played at the Bushnell auditorium. She was that in the eyes of everyone. Our prayers and thoughts are with her family, her son Michael, daughter Meredith and their children. And now she is reunited with her beloved Lou, who preceded her from this life.” Senate Minority Leader Stephen Harding grew up in Brookfield and knew the Rell family well, adding that he got into politics by getting elected to the same seat Rell held in the House. He said it was a sad day for Brookfield and also for the state. “She put public service and people above politics. She was principled in her Republican beliefs, but did everything she could to not make decisions based on politics. That’s the reason why she was so beloved as a governor and why she had such skyrocketing popularity. That’s the reason she won the 2006 gubernatorial election by such a large margin,” Harding wrote. “I have greatly admired her for many years and always will. One of the greatest joys in my career was that once in a while, Gov. Rell would send me a handwritten note. The notes were always thoughtful, positive and upbeat. I treasured those notes, and I still have them today. That was how Gov. Rell lived and how she treated others. With compassion. With kindness. Those handwritten notes are even more meaningful to me today.” Republican State Chairman Ben Proto said he worked with Rell as a young attorney serving as counsel to the House Republican Caucus in Hartford where he worked directly with then-Representative Rell on the bill screening committee and learned a great deal from her. “Jodi Rell was exactly what the state of Connecticut and, more importantly, the people of Connecticut needed in 2004 when she assumed the office of Governor,” Proto said. “She brought a level of calm and focus, not only to the State Capitol, but to the state. She reminded people of the good things government could do, and she was tireless in her efforts to make Connecticut stronger and better.” He added: “Governor Rell may have ascended to the office of Governor during a tumultuous time, but her calm demeanor, her knowledge of state government, her political acumen, and her southern charm, won over many critics and helped put Connecticut back on track. Governor M. Jodi Rell was the exact right person to lead our state at that time.” Former Senate Republican Leader Len Fasano said she was a bright light and a trusted leader. “I am saddened to hear the news of Governor Jodi Rell’s passing. Governor Rell became Governor in a time when Connecticut needed a bright light and a trusted leader. She will forever be known for uniting Connecticut and bringing comfort to the residents of the State of Connecticut. Her tireless work and strong leadership moved Connecticut in the right direction. Her influence in politics continues to permeate the building and the State of Connecticut. My heart is with her and her family.” Congressman John Larson knew Rell for many years, having served with her in the state House. “Governor Rell led our state with grace and dignity and was widely respected by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and the entire State of Connecticut,” Larson sadi. “She was the personification of class and leadership. She rose above party politics to bring our state together and restore the people’s faith in government during troubling times. It was an honor to serve alongside her in the Connecticut General Assembly, and work with her as a Member of Congress when she served as Governor. Our state was well-served by her principled leadership. My heart goes out to her children Michael and Meredith, her grandchildren, and the entire Rell family.” Former Gov. Dannel P. Malloy praised Rell’s legacy. “I was sad to hear this news. Gov. Rell took over at a dark time in Connecticut, in the wake of former Gov. Rowland resigning as he was facing impeachment,” Malloy said through his former spokesman, Roy Occhiogrosso. “She steadied the ship, and returned a sense of decency and honesty to state government at a time when both were sorely needed. Gov. Rell loved Connecticut, and was a dedicated, honest, and kind public servant. Cathy and I send our deepest condolences to the Rell family.”
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