Connolly seeks Dem nod for governor race

Candidate has distinguished military background

EAST HARTFORD — An East Hartford native with a long military career but with little campaign experience is joining the lengthy list of candidates who want to call 990 Prospect Ave. in Hartford their next address.

Sean Connolly, a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve and a former commissioner of the state Department of Veterans Affairs, is expected to announce in Hebron on Tuesday that he’ll seek the Democratic nomination for governor.

Connolly, who now lives in Hebron, will be joining fellow Democrats Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim, Middletown Mayor Dan Drew, Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin and businessman Mark Stewart Greenstein, among others.

Some of the Republican hopefuls include former Trumbull First Selectman Tim Herbst, Shelton Mayor Mark Lauretti, Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton, Fairfield attorney Peter Lumaj and Joseph Visconti of West Hartford.

Connolly said he’ll answer questions from the media at the Hebron kickoff announcement. That will take place at noon in the American Legion Post 95 Hall, he said.

“I’ve been exploring this for the last three three months,” he said. “We’re excited about taking the next step and we’ve been talking to people all over the state of Connecticut.”

According to his website biography, Connolly is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was a prosecutor and brigade

legal adviser with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, as well as in Kuwait and Iraq.

In 2017, he graduated from the U.S. Army War College. His military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, three awards of the Meritorious Service Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

Connolly received his bachelor’s degree from Bryant University and his law degree from the Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law.

Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced on April 13, that he wouldn’t be seeking a third term.

Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media file photo Sean Connolly, then Connecticut's Veterans’ Affair Commissioner, speaks during a ceremony at the University of Bridgeport in November 2015.