M. Jodi Rell was the governor of Connecticut from 2004 to 2011.
- Died: November 20, 2024 (Who else died on November 20?)
- Details of death: Died at a hospital in Florida following a brief illness at the age of 78.
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Jodi Rell’s legacy
Rell served as Connecticut’s lieutenant governor for almost 10 years before stepping up to lead the state. In fact, it was that position that put her directly in line to become governor. She ran alongside John Rowland when he first sought the governor’s office in 1994. The two Republicans formed a popular team and were reelected twice in decisive victories. However, Rowland’s popularity quickly deteriorated in his third term. Accused of corruption stemming in part from evidence that state contractors were making improvements on his vacation home free of charge, he abruptly resigned in 2004 as the possibility of impeachment loomed.
With Rowland’s resignation, Rell stepped into his shoes, and she focused on restoring order and confidence in the state’s leadership as her predecessor went to federal prison. She became a well-liked governor, and she was reelected in 2006 with more than 63 percent of the vote and the highest vote total for governor in the state’s history.
Still, Rell struggled with the state’s budget during her terms, locking horns with Democratic leadership as compromise proved difficult to achieve. On other matters, she was more successful, and even in the wake of a prolonged 2009 budget fight and a national recession, she maintained an approval rating of 60 percent and higher. Among her achievements were signing a bill that made Connecticut one of the first states to legalize same-sex civil unions and backing a landmark law allowing stem cell research.
Rell chose not to run again after her second term. Her political career also included 10 years in the state’s House of Representatives before she served as lieutenant governor.
Notable quote
“I’m in the Christmas Tree Shop the other day and people come up and say, ‘I can’t believe you’re here.’ Or people come up and say, ‘Could I have a picture with you?’ Those are the people I’m going to miss, not because they asked to have a picture with me, but because they’re normal, everyday people. They’re not government officials. They’re not congressmen or presidents. They’re everyday people, and that’s what I’m going to miss the most.” — from a 2010 interview for the Stamford Advocate
Tributes to Jodi Rell
Full obituary: Hartford Courant
