Matt Lesser

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Matt Lesser
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Member of the Connecticut State Senate
from the 9th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 9, 2019
Preceded byPaul Doyle
Member of the Connecticut House of Representatives
from the 100th district
In office
Template:En dash range
Preceded byRaymond Kalinowski
Succeeded byQuentin Williams
Personal details
BornScript error: No such module "person date".
Washington, D.C., U.S.
DiedScript error: No such module "person date".
PartyDemocratic
Children2
EducationWesleyan University

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Matthew L. Lesser (born 28 or 29 April 1983) is an American politician who represents the 9th district in the Connecticut State Senate. A member of the Democratic Party, he was first elected to the State House in 2008, and re-elected in 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2016. He won election to the state Senate from the 9th district in 2018, and was reelected in 2020 and 2022. Lesser unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for Connecticut Secretary of the State in 2022.

Early life

Lesser grew up in the Washington, D.C. area.[1] His father once reported for The Washington Post.[2] His mother is from Argentina.[3]

Career

Early years

As an undergraduate student at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, Lesser was elected president of the College Democrats chapter and ran voter registration drives.[4] He was elected as Chairman of the Middletown Planning and Zoning Commission.[5]

State House

In May 2008, Lesser, then a student at Wesleyan University, was selected to run as the second youngest candidate for State Representative at the Democratic 100th District Convention.[6][7] Connecticut Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz, who once held the 100th District State representative seat, endorsed him.[8] Lesser also received support from State Senator Thomas Gaffey and Middletown DTC Chairman Dan Russo.[9] Lesser defeated three-term Republican incumbent Raymond Kalinowski.[10][11] Lesser took a leave of absence from Wesleyan in the fall 2008 semester.[5]

In the 2013 session of the state House, Lesser was a vice chair of the Government Administration and Elections Committee and a member of the Energy and Technology Committee.[12] In 2015, he became co-chair of the Banking Committee.[13] He also was a member of the member of the Insurance and Real Estate Committee.[13]

While in the state House, Lesser sponsored a number of bills that were enacted into law, including Connecticut's first-in-the-nation Student Loan Bill of Rights;[14][15] an act prohibiting fracking waste from being dumped in Connecticut,[16] and updated workplace safety standards.[13] He also pressed for a review of natural gas pipelines in Connecticut after the 2018 Merrimack Valley gas explosions in neighboring Massachusetts.[17] In 2013, Lesser voted in favor of the gun control bill that passed in the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre.[18]

In 2012, Lesser was elected as one of the Connecticut Democratic Party's two delegates to the National Platform Committee ahead of the 2012 Democratic National Convention.[19]

In 2017, Lesser considered running for Connecticut Secretary of the State in 2018 and formed an exploratory committee, but said he would only run if Denise W. Merrill did not seek election.[20]

State Senate

In May 2018, Lesser announced a run for state senator from the 9th district,[21] which includes Cromwell, Newington, Rocky Hill, and portions of Middletown and Wethersfield.[22] He won the August 2018 primary against former state representative Antonio Guerrera.[23] The general election featured some controversy when the campaign of Republican nominee, Ed Charamut, of Rocky Hill, sent out a mailer to voters attacking Lesser, featuring an altered image of Lesser clutching $100 bills; the mailer garnered national media attention and was denounced for its use of antisemitic tropes.[24][25][26] Lesser won the general election in November,[26] and was appointed Senate chairman of the Insurance and Real Estate Committee the following month.[27] He was reelected in 2020[28] and 2022.[29]

As a state senator, Lesser has written laws to guarantee mental health parity,[30] expand access to epinephrine devices (such as EpiPens) in public venues,[31] and to cap the cost of insulin at $25.[32] In the 2019 legislative session, Lesser sponsored a health care reform effort to create a public health insurance option in the state of Connecticut (dubbed "the Connecticut Option")[33][34] that ultimately failed amid opposition from health insurers.[35]

Beginning in 2009, Lesser advocated for Connecticut to join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. The General Assembly passed the bill in 2018 (on a 73–71 vote in the House and 21–14 vote in the Senate).[36]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Lesser wrote a law expanding access to telehealth.[37] In 2023, Lesser was one of several legislators and staff to test positive for COVID-19, prompting the Senate to implement a masking policy.[38][39] He was absent from several votes while isolating.[40]

In 2022, Lesser sought the Democratic nomination for Connecticut Secretary of the State in the 2022 election. At the Democratic Party of Connecticut state convention in May 2022, he ran against state Representative Stephanie Thomas of Norwalk, state Representative Hilda Santiago of Meriden, state Representative Josh Elliott of Hamden, and New Haven health director Maritza Bond. Lesser came in second, losing the party's endorsement to Thomas; although he qualified to run against Thomas in the primary, Lesser dropped out of the race and opted to seek reelection to the state Senate instead.[41]

On January 14, 2024, an online petition initiated by Black community leaders criticized Lesser for withdrawing funding for CPREP. In 2023, Lesser opposed funding of Steve Perry's Capital Preparatory Charter School (CPREP) in Middletown; funding for the charter school was initially allocated by the Appropriations Committee, but was removed from the budget after eleventh-hour maneuvering on the last day of the 2023 legislative session. The decision was condemned by various Black community leaders, and criticized by the Connecticut NAACP and its Middlesex County chapter.[42][43][44][45]

In March 2023, Lesser, a former co-chair of the Insurance and Real Estate Committee, questioned fellow Democrat and current Committee Co-Chair Kerry Szeps Wood for several hours in a filibuster intended to stall discussion on H.B. 6710, a bill to allow trade associations to offer certain health insurance plans to their members.[46][47] The bill attracted bipartisan support as an effort to lower costs for small employers, but also opposition from patient advocates who feared that the plans permitted by the bill would destabilize insurance markets and possibly discriminate against policyholders with illnesses or disabilities.[46] After Governor Ned Lamont's staff agreed to "mediate" issues raised by Lesser, he ended questioning and voted against the bill.[46] In 2024, he supported expanded eligibility for HUSKY, the Connecticut Medicaid program.[48][49] The same year, he sponsored legislation to bar the reporting of medical debt to credit reporting agencies; the bill passed the General Assembly and was signed into law by Lamont.[50]

Activities outside the General Assembly

He was appointed executive director of the Cancer Support Community of Southern Connecticut (which serves New London, Middlesex, New Haven and Fairfield counties) in 2014.[51] In 2015, Lesser was selected as a 2015–16 Marshall Memorial Fellow by the German Marshall Fund of the United States.[52]

Personal life

Lesser lives in Middletown's North End with his wife Sarah and their two children.[53]

Lesser was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2012, and survived.[51]

Electoral history

2008

2008 Connecticut 100th House District Election[54]
Party Candidate Votes %
Script error: No such module "Political party". Matt Lesser 5,704 47.6
Script error: No such module "Political party". Matt Lesser 482 4
Script error: No such module "Political party". Ed Charamut 5,787 48.3

2010

2010 Connecticut 100th House District Election[55]
Party Candidate Votes %
Script error: No such module "Political party". Matt Lesser 4,756 48.3
Script error: No such module "Political party". Matt Lesser 296 3
Script error: No such module "Political party". John Swewczyk 4,433 45.1
Script error: No such module "Political party". John Swewczyk 245 2.5
Connecticut for Lieberman John Swewczyk 109 1.1

2012

2012 Connecticut 100th House District Election[56]
Party Candidate Votes %
Script error: No such module "Political party". Matthew Lesser 6,342 65.2
Script error: No such module "Political party". Matthew Lesser 335 3.4
Script error: No such module "Political party". Deborah Kleckowksi 2,782 28.6
Script error: No such module "Political party". Deborah Kleckowksi 275 2.8

2014

2014 Connecticut 100th House District Election[57]
Party Candidate Votes %
Script error: No such module "Political party". Matt Lesser 4,558 63
Script error: No such module "Political party". Matt Lesser 537 7.4
Script error: No such module "Political party". Angel R. Fernandez 2,138 29.6

2016

2016 Connecticut 100th House District Election[58]
Party Candidate Votes %
Script error: No such module "Political party". Matt Lesser 6,417 62.6
Script error: No such module "Political party". Matt Lesser 696 6.8
Script error: No such module "Political party". Anthony R.J. Moran 3,136 30.6

2018

2018 Connecticut 9th Senate District Election Democratic Primary[59]
Party Candidate Votes %
Script error: No such module "Political party". Matt Lesser 4,779 56.4%
Script error: No such module "Political party". Antonio "Tony" Guerrera 3,699 43.6%
2018 Connecticut 9th Senate District Election[60]
Party Candidate Votes %
Script error: No such module "Political party". Matt Lesser 22,724 54.22
Script error: No such module "Political party". Matt Lesser 1,519 3.62
Script error: No such module "Political party". Ed Charamut 17,674 42.15

2020

2020 Connecticut 9th Senate District Election[28]
Party Candidate Votes %
Script error: No such module "Political party". Matt Lesser 29,473 54.85
Script error: No such module "Political party". Matt Lesser 1,509 2.87%
Script error: No such module "Political party". Richie Ruglio 21,609 40.22
Script error: No such module "Political party". Richie Ruglio 1,139 2.12

2022

2022 Connecticut 9th Senate District Election[29]
Party Candidate Votes %
Script error: No such module "Political party". Matt Lesser 19,593 52.94
Script error: No such module "Political party". Matt Lesser 632 1.71
Script error: No such module "Political party". Matt Lesser 346 0.93
Script error: No such module "Political party". Lisa J. Marotta 16,440 44.42

References

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  1. ^ Matt Lesser named to list of 'movers and shakers', Middletown Press (December 27, 2013).
  2. ^ Mark Pazniokas, Can the state defend a newspaper against a hedge fund?, CT Mirror (March 18, 2021).
  3. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Matt Lesser asks to join Black & Latino caucus". New Haven Register. February 26, 2013.
  4. ^ Steph Dukich, Democratic Candidates Matt Lesser and Quentin "Q" Phipps Discuss Campaigns in PAC, Wesleylan Argus (November 5, 2018).
  5. ^ a b Olivia Drake, Lesser '10 State Rep. Elect for Middletown, Wesleyan University (November 11, 2008).
  6. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Convention Updates". 2008-05-21. Retrieved 2008-06-15.
  7. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Matt Lesser: '10 State Representative". Wesleyan University. Archived from the original on 2011-01-05. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  8. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Susan Bysiewicz at 100th House District Convention". YouTube. 2008-05-21. Retrieved 2008-06-15.Template:Dead YouTube link
  9. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Matt Lesser Nominated in 100th District". Retrieved 2008-06-15.
  10. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Candidate Cites His Experience". The Baltimore Sun. 2008-06-10. Retrieved 2008-06-19.
  11. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Stay With Ray". The Town Times. 2008-06-13. pp. 8 & 20. Archived from the original on 2008-06-21. Retrieved 2008-06-19.
  12. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Legislative Guide" (PDF). Connecticut General Assembly. 2013–2014.
  13. ^ a b c Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Biography". 17 December 2015. Archived from the original on 2018-01-27.
  14. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Jillian Berman (January 10, 2016). "Inside one state's effort to tackle the student debt crisis". MarketWatch.
  15. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Morgan Crabtree (July 14, 2015). "Connecticut is the first state to implement Student Loan Bill of Rights". WTNH.
  16. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Jan Ellen Spiegel (February 12, 2014). "No fracking in Connecticut, but what about its waste?". CTMirror.
  17. ^ Connecticut state lawmakers want review of gas pipelines, Associated Press (October 1, 2018).
  18. ^ Connecticut House roll call on gun-control bill, CT Mirror (April 4, 2013).
  19. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Drew, Lesser named to Democratic Party leadership posts". New Haven Register. August 9, 2012.
  20. ^ Day, Cassandra. (July 7, 2017). Connecticut state Rep. Matt Lesser raises $58,000 for possible 2018 secretary of the state bid. New Haven Register.
  21. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Middletown state Rep. Lesser running for 9th District Senate". Connecticut Post. May 23, 2018.
  22. ^ Cassandra Day, Election '22: Meet Middletown candidates for 100th, 33rd House; 9th Senate, Middletown Press (November 1, 2022).
  23. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Beals, Shawn R. (August 14, 2018). "Matt Lesser Wins Democratic 9th Senate Primary". Hartford Courant.
  24. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Foderaro, Lisa W. (October 30, 2018). "Political Mailer Prompts Charges of Anti-Semitism". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331.
  25. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Rosenberg, Eli (October 31, 2018). "Republican mailer depicts a Jewish candidate gripping cash and grinning. The GOP is no longer defending it". Washington Post.
  26. ^ a b Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Beals, Shawn R. (November 6, 2018). "Lesser Wins 9th Senate District In Race That Gained National Attention For Anti-Semitism Charges". Hartford Courant.
  27. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Ramirez, Hector (December 27, 2018). "Senator-Elect Matt Lesser appointed to Co-Chair of the Insurance and Real Estate Committee". WTNH.
  28. ^ a b 2020 Nov 3 :: General Election :: State Senator :: District 9, Connecticut Office of the Secretary of the State.
  29. ^ a b 2022 Nov 8 :: General Election :: State Senator :: District 9, Connecticut Office of the Secretary of the State.
  30. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Carlesso, Jenna (July 8, 2019). "Mental health parity bill signed into law". CT Mirror.
  31. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."New CT law makes epinephrine devices, EpiPens available in public venues". Middletown Press. July 7, 2019.
  32. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Co-Pays for Insulin and Diabetes Medications Capped at $25 in Connecticut" (Press release). American Diabetes Association. August 6, 2020.
  33. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Connecticut lawmakers celebrate health care public option bill". The Middletown Press. May 3, 2019.
  34. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Public option health insurance bills clear committee". The CT Mirror. May 19, 2019.
  35. ^ Shefali Luthra, Insurers Sank Connecticut's 'Public Option.' Would A National Version Survive?, KHN (March 4, 2020).
  36. ^ Susan Haigh, Connecticut lawmakers vote to join popular vote pact, Associated Press (May 6, 2018).
  37. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Senator Lesser Leads Passage of Telehealth and Insulin Bills".
  38. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.McQuaid, Hugh (May 30, 2023). "Senate Masking Requirements Return Amid New COVID Cases". CT News Junkie.
  39. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Dixon, Ken (May 30, 2023). "COVID infections in state Senate prompt CT lawmakers to make changes". CTInsider.
  40. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.y Mark Pazniokas (May 31, 2023). "Senate Democrats vote to bring early voting to Connecticut in 2024". CTMirror – via WSHU.
  41. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Putterman, Alex (May 10, 2022). "Matt Lesser drops out of CT secretary of the state race after missing Democratic endorsement". CTInsider.
  42. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Otte, Emilia (May 13, 2023). "Capital Prep Wins Approval, But Matt Lesser Says Charter School Still has 'Work to Do'". CT Examiner.
  43. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Montague, Deidre (2023-06-05). "CT NAACP, others push for funding for Middletown charter school, as 'where you live matters'". Hartford Courant. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  44. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Portfolio, Meghan (2024-01-22). "Black Leaders Call for Sen. Lesser's Removal from Black and Puerto Rican Caucus". Yankee Institute for Public Policy.
  45. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Harkay, Jessika (June 9, 2023). "Two of four proposed CT charter schools left out of state budget". Hartford Courant.
  46. ^ a b c Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Phillips, Erica E. (March 17, 2023). "Sen. Matt Lesser filibusters bill for trade groups to offer health plans". CT Mirror.
  47. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Stuart, Christine (2023-03-15). "Former Insurance Committee Co-Chair Takes A Stand Against Association Health Plans". CT News Junkie. Retrieved 2024-08-23.
  48. ^ Maricarmen Cajahuaringa, CT high school students advocate for expanding HUSKY health care, New Hampshire Public Radio (April 18, 2024).
  49. ^ Katy Golvala, Thousands of CT residents to lose HUSKY coverage, health group says. State says it saves millions., Hartford Courant (August 11, 2024).
  50. ^ Michayla Savitt, New CT law will prevent medical debt reporting to creditors, Connecticut Public via CT Mirror (May 17, 2024).
  51. ^ a b Rep. Lesser new head of cancer support network, Middletown Press (May 20, 2014).
  52. ^ Matt Lesser selected for policy fellowship, Middletown Press (April 10, 2015).
  53. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Matthew Lesser". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2024-08-23.
  54. ^ 2008 Nov 4 :: General Election :: State Representative :: District 100, Connecticut Office of the Secretary of the State.
  55. ^ 2010 Nov 2 :: General Election :: State Representative :: District 100, Connecticut Office of the Secretary of the State.
  56. ^ 2012 Nov 6 :: General Election :: State Representative :: District 100, Connecticut Office of the Secretary of the State.
  57. ^ 2014 Nov 4 :: General Election :: State Representative :: District 100, Connecticut Office of the Secretary of the State.
  58. ^ 2016 Nov 8 :: General Election :: State Representative :: District 100, Connecticut Office of the Secretary of the State.
  59. ^ 2018 Aug 14 :: Democratic Primary :: State Senator :: District 9, Connecticut Office of the Secretary of the State.
  60. ^ 2018 Nov 6 :: General Election :: State Senator :: District 9, Connecticut Office of the Secretary of the State.

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