Nancy Wyman
Nancy Wyman | |
---|---|
![]() Nancy Wyman at a 2011 press conference about Hurricane Irene | |
88th Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut | |
Assumed office January 5, 2011 | |
Governor | Dannel P. Malloy |
Preceded by | Michael Fedele |
Connecticut Comptroller | |
In office January 4, 1995 – January 5, 2011 | |
Preceded by | Bill Curry |
Succeeded by | Kevin Lembo |
Personal details | |
Born | Nancy S. Wyman May 1, 1946 (age 68) Brooklyn, New York City, New York, United States |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse | Michael Wyman |
Children | Stacey, Meryl |
Residence(s) | Tolland, Connecticut, United States |
Alma mater | Long Island College Hospital |
Occupation | Radiological technologist |
Signature | ![]() |
Website | Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman |
Nancy S. Wyman (born May 1, 1946) is an American Democratic politician who is Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut. She is Connecticut's 108th[n 1] lieutenant governor. She was State Comptroller of Connecticut from 1995 to 2011, and was the first woman elected to that office position since it was created in 1786.
Early life
Wyman grew up in Brooklyn, New York, where her father worked as an accountant and supplemented his income by delivering the New York Daily News. She earned an associate degree in radiological technology from Long Island College Hospital.[2]
Early career
Wyman began her career in public service as vice chairperson of the Tolland Board of Education. She served in this post for four years, but was on the board serving in other roles for five additional years. In 1986, she was elected as the State Representative from the 53rd district of Connecticut, serving in this capacity from 1987–1995.[3]
Comptroller
In 1994, Wyman became State Comptroller upon defeating Republican Gene Gavin, a Certified Public Accountant. She succeeded William E. Curry, Jr., who did not run for re-election in order to run for governor.
As comptroller, Wyman was the chief fiscal guardian for the State of Connecticut. She oversaw the state health plan for 200,000 state employees, retirees, and their dependents.[4]
Despite the high popularity of Connecticut's last two Republican governors, Wyman has easily won re-election. In 1998 she was challenged by Republican State Representative Christopher Scalzo. In 2002, 28-year-old West Haven Republican Justice of the Peace and City Commissioner Steven Mullins presented an easy challenge to Wyman.
Mullins, a real estate manager by profession, was chosen by then-Governor John G. Rowland to challenge Wyman the week of the state Republican Convention. He is the only African-American nominee for state comptroller, Democrat or Republican, in Connecticut history.
After being endorsed by three of Connecticut's major newspapers, seven term Groton Republican State Senator Cathy Cook lost to Wyman in 2006.
Lieutenant Governor
Democratic candidate for Governor Dan Malloy chose Wyman to be his running mate in the 2010 gubernatorial race.[5] After defeating primary opponent Mary Glassman on August 10, 2010,[6] Wyman became the official 2010 Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor. Malloy and Wyman won a narrow general election.
Wyman was sworn-in on January 5, 2011, succeeding Republican Michael Fedele.
Political advocacy
In 2006, Wyman co-chaired Joe Courtney's campaign for United States Congress against incumbent U.S. Representative Rob Simmons in Connecticut's second Congressional District. Courtney defeated Simmons by a narrow margin.
Issues
Wyman is liberal when it comes to social issues. In March 2007, she testified at a public hearing of the State Legislative Judiciary Committee in support of Bill #7395 – "An Act Concerning Marriage Equality." In her opening statement before the committee, she stated, "To violate the rights of a few is to violate the rights of all."[7] The bill supports same-sex marriage rights in Connecticut. In 2008, same-sex marriage became legal in Connecticut by court order.
Personal life
Wyman is married to Tolland Democratic Registrar of Voters R. Michael Wyman. They have lived in Tolland since 1973.
References
- ^ http://blogs.courant.com/capitol_watch/2010/05/of-candidates-and-religion.html
- ^ Altimari, Daniela (December 29, 2010). "Nancy Wyman: A Liberal Democrat With Bipartisan Support". The Hartford Courant. Retrieved January 27, 2012.
- ^ nancywyman.com[dead link]
- ^ "State of Connecticut -Office of the State Comptroller – Nancy S. Wyman – Comptroller". Osc.state.ct.us. April 16, 2010. Retrieved August 29, 2010.
- ^ nancywyman.com[dead link]
- ^ "Connecticut Primaries: Results". Hartford Courant. August 10, 2010. Retrieved August 12, 2010.
- ^ "Testimony of State Comptroller Nancy Wyman Before the Judiciary Committee March 26, 2007" (PDF). Office of the State Comptroller. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
Notes
- ^ The State of Connecticut recognizes Nancy Wyman as the 108th Lieutenant Governor, using a standard that had counted Colonial period lieutenants and counts lieutenants who had served multiple times as only one individual figure. Wyman is considered the 88th Lieutenant Governor to serve since the formation of the nation in 1776.