UPDATED

Former Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy, potential candidate for Governor, today reiterated his call for Ned Lamont to adhere to the spending limits under the current campaign finance law in the Democratic primary for Governor.  Lamont is expected to make his candidacy official later this morning. Said Malloy:

“I want to congratulate Ned on his decision to run.

“As Democrats, we should be for having a primary that’s about experience, vision, and ideas – not money.  That’s why today I’m again calling on Ned to adhere to the same spending limits in the primary that his fellow Democrats have agreed to.  In an interview he gave on Feb. 12, Ned said, ‘If everybody's playing by the same rules, it’s an easier decision.’

“Well, on the Democratic side I’m pretty sure we’re all adhering to the spending limit rules.  I know I am.

“For Ned, this should be an easy call.  He used to say he was all for campaign finance reform, and that spending limits were ‘the key campaign finance reform.’

“Now, Ned says he’s worried that Tom Foley will win the election because he’s already spending millions of his own dollars to ‘define himself.’  Here’s what I’d say to that: you’re not going to beat Tom Foley by being Tom Foley.  You beat Tom Foley by nominating someone who stands in stark contrast to him, someone who can provide all the voters – Democrats, Unaffiliated voters, and Republicans – with a clear choice.  And what if he’s not the nominee, which is very possible?  What if Chris Shays decides to run and he’s the nominee?  Chris is someone who made his reputation in large part on the issue of campaign finance reform.  What if it’s Mike Fedele, who’s said he’s going to accept public financing, or Mark Boughton, who’s said the same?  How ironic would it be if the Democratic Party nominated someone who ended up making the Republican Party look like the party of reform?

“Ned’s of course free to do what he wants.  But using a candidate from another party as cover – as an excuse, really – for walking away from what was a principled stand sends the wrong message about the kind of party we are, and the kind of debate we should be having.”

Former Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy, potential candidate for Governor, today responded to Ned Lamont’s formal announcement of his candidacy for Governor:

“The contrast between us couldn’t be any sharper, or the choice more clear.  I spent 14 years creating thousands of jobs, balancing budgets, making government more efficient, expanding access to health care, lowering crime rates, building affordable housing, investing in clean energy, and improving transportation systems – without ever losing sight of where I came from or the obstacles I’ve overcome to get here.   

“Ned seems to think his millions of dollars and his background as a cable executive are why Democrats should choose him over me.  I think he’s wrong.  I think Democrats want a nominee who has the right kind of experience for the job.”