Political enemies stay close

Lamont, Stefanowski meet for private, ‘high-level discussion’ on Connecticut

“We talked about ways we (can) stay in touch and work together because he believes in the state as do I.” Gov.-elect Ned Lamont

For all the time they spent insulting each other on the campaign trail, Gov.-elect Ned Lamont and his Republican challenger Bob Stefanowski seem to have gotten friendlier, while retaining their differences.

Either that, or they’re embracing the adage to “keep your friends close and your enemies closer.”

The businessmen-turned-politicians sat down for a private lunch last week, the details of which are in limited supply. The meeting was yet another step in Lamont’s transition plan, which includes speaking with people across the political spectrum to come up with solutions for the state.

“It was great,” Lamont said Tuesday. “Very friendly, very supportive. He really cares about the state and wants to stay involved.”

Both Lamont and Stefanowski declined to provide specifics of what they talked about — likely the state’s economic troubles, the solutions to which divided them during the campaign.

But since the election, Lamont has promised to bring people of all political persuasions and backgrounds to the table, including Stefanowski.

“We talked about the campaign and we talked about the state, and we talked about ways we (can) stay in touch and work together because he believes in the state as do I,” Lamont said. “We got to know each other pretty well in those green rooms and during the campaign, and he’s a good man who cares about the state and wants to stay involved and that’s my job to make that productive.”

The meeting happened a week ahead of a transition summit Lamont and Lt. Gov.-elect Susan Bysiewicz hosted this week, which brought more than 300 people to Eastern Connecticut State University to come up with policy proposals for the next administration.

Stefanowski said he was glad Lamont followed up on a promise the two made backstage after a debate to get together after the election regardless of the outcome. Unable to speak by phone as he was traveling in London this week, Stefanowski said via email he plans to stay informally involved and offer help to the state when he can.

“Our state is at a crisis point and we need to realize that and work quickly,” Stefanowski said. “I am concerned that since the election the discussion from Democrats has centered around legalizing marijuana, a new toll study suggesting we raise a billion dollars, 70 percent of that would be Connecticut residents, and raising the minimum wage by 50 percent. Rather than a focus on cutting wasteful spending, tax relief and a better economy to keep businesses like UTC here and attract new business.”

Asked to elaborate on the details of their conversation about taxes and the economy, Stefanowski said, “It was a pretty highlevel discussion.”

Stefanowski

Lamont