Susan Bysiewicz

Susan Bysiewicz

Democratic Party

Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut

Tenure

2019 - Present

Term ends

2027

Years in position

6

Prior offices

Connecticut House of Representatives District 100

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Connecticut Secretary of State

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Compensation

Base salary

$206,062

Elections and appointments

Last elected

November 8, 2022

Education

Bachelor's

Yale University, 1983

Law

Duke University School of Law, 1986

Contact

Official website

Official Facebook

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Official Instagram

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Personal Instagram

Personal LinkedIn

Susan Bysiewicz (Democratic Party) is the Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut. She assumed office on January 9, 2019. Her current term ends on January 6, 2027.

Bysiewicz (Democratic Party, Working Families Party, Griebel Frank for CT Party) ran for re-election for Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut. She won in the general election on November 8, 2022.

Bysiewicz served three terms as the Connecticut Secretary of State from 1999 to 2011. She also represented District 100 in the Connecticut House of Representatives from 1993 to 1999.

Biography

Susan Bysiewicz received a bachelor's degree from Yale University in 1983 and a law degree from Duke University in 1986. Bysiewicz wrote the book Ella: A Biography of Governor Ella Grasso, published in 1984. Bysiewicz practiced as an attorney at Robinson & Cole from 1988 to 1992 and at Aetna Insurance Company from 1992 to 1994.

Political career

Below is a list of offices within Ballotpedia’s scope. Offices outside of that scope will not be listed. If an update is needed and the office is within our scope, please contact us.

Bysiewicz's political career includes the following offices:

• 2019-present: Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut
• 1999-2011: Connecticut Secretary of State
• 1993-1999: Connecticut House of Representatives District 100

Elections

2022

See also: Connecticut gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2022

General election

General election for Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut

Incumbent Susan Bysiewicz defeated Laura Devlin, Stewart Beckett, and Cassandra Martineau in the general election for Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Susan Bysiewicz (D / Working Families Party / Griebel Frank for CT Party)	56.0	710,186
		Laura Devlin (R)	43.0	546,209
		Stewart Beckett (Independent Party)	1.0	12,400
		Cassandra Martineau (Independent) (Write-in)	0.0	98

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,268,893
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Susan Bysiewicz advanced from the Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Laura Devlin advanced from the Republican primary for Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut.

2018

See also: Connecticut gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2018

General election

General election for Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut

Susan Bysiewicz defeated Joe Markley, Monte Frank, Jeffrey Thibeault, and John Demitrus in the general election for Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Susan Bysiewicz (D)	49.4	694,510
		Joe Markley (R)	46.2	650,138
	Submit photo	Monte Frank (Independent)	3.9	54,741
	Submit photo	Jeffrey Thibeault (L)	0.4	6,086
	Submit photo	John Demitrus (Amigo Constitution Party)	0.1	1,254
		Other/Write-in votes	0.0	74

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,406,803
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut

Susan Bysiewicz defeated Eva Zimmerman in the Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut on August 14, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Susan Bysiewicz	62.2	130,451
		Eva Zimmerman	37.8	79,281

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 209,732
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Charlie Stallworth (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut

Joe Markley defeated Erin Stewart and Jayme Stevenson in the Republican primary for Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut on August 14, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Joe Markley	47.6	65,919
		Erin Stewart	32.7	45,307
		Jayme Stevenson	19.6	27,156

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 138,382
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Peter Tesei (R)
• Ann Brookes (R)

2012

U.S. Senate

See also: United States Senate elections in Connecticut, 2012

Bysiewicz ran in the 2012 election for the U.S. Senate, representing Connecticut. Bysiewicz was defeated by Christopher S. Murphy in the Democratic primary on August 14, 2012.

2006

• 2006 Race for Secretary of State - Democratic Primary

• Susan Bysiewicz ran unopposed in this contest

2006 Race for Secretary of State - General Election
Party		Candidate	Vote Percentage
	Democratic Party	a Susan Bysiewicz	69.8%
	Republican Party	Richard J. Abbate	26.4%
	Green Party	S. Michael DeRosa	1.8%
	Libertarian Party	Kenneth F. Mosher	1.2%
	Concerned Citizens	Jean Marie Burness	0.8%
Total Votes			1,044,871

2002

• 2002 Race for Secretary of State - Democratic Primary

• Susan Bysiewicz ran unopposed in this contest

2002 Race for Secretary of State - General Election
Party		Candidate	Vote Percentage
	Democratic Party	a Susan Bysiewicz	64.2%
	Republican Party	Ronald S. San Angelo	34.3%
	Libertarian Party	Darlene H. Nicholas	1.5%
Total Votes			952,164

1998

Secretary of State

• 1998 Race for Secretary of State - Democratic Primary

• Susan Bysiewicz ran unopposed in this contest

1998 Race for Secretary of State - General Election
Party		Candidate	Vote Percentage
	Democratic Party	a Susan Bysiewicz	59.1%
	Republican Party	Ben Andrews	39.8%
	Libertarian Party	Kenneth F. Mosher	1.1%
Total Votes			899,624

Polls

2012

Connecticut's Democratic Senate Primary Candidates
Poll	Christopher S. Murphy	Susan Bysiewicz	Margin of error	Sample size
Public Policy Polling (July 26-29, 2012)	49%	32%	+/-4.9	771
Quinnipiac University Poll (May 29-June 3, 2012)	50%	20%	+/-2.6	1,408
AVERAGES	49.5%	26%	+/-3.75	1,089.5
Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org.

Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Susan Bysiewicz did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2018

Bysiewicz's campaign website stated the following:

“	Jobs and the Economy Far too many young people and families in Connecticut find that they have to leave the state in order to find high-quality jobs. We need to create a more welcoming environment that fosters entrepreneurship and small businesses here in Connecticut. With a track record of helping more than 80 small businesses raise tens of millions dollars in funding and creating hundreds of good-paying jobs, I have the experience to bring businesses and jobs to Connecticut. We also need to make sure that every job is a quality job -- which is why I strongly support expanding apprenticeships and job training programs. Balance the Budget I believe in cutting wasteful spending and closing the budget gap. Governors of both parties and legislatures controlled by both parties have maxed out our state's credit cards. Businesses will only come to Connecticut from out of state if we have a predictable budget and a well-governed state. Passing a fair and balanced budget that is on time will be my top priority. Environment The science is clear -- climate change is a serious threat facing our planet. We need a state government that accepts this reality and works to reduce our carbon output, our state's high energy costs, and support sustainable energy. Additionally, Connecticut should be a leader in sustainable energy, and I will work with state legislative leaders and our Congressional delegation in Washington, DC to ensure that we are doing everything possible to position our state to be at the forefront of the burgeoning green revolution. Equal Pay With women making 83 cents for every dollar a man makes in Connecticut, we are doing better than most of the country. But we have to do more, especially when you consider that African-American women in our state make only 59 cents for every dollar a male makes and Latina women only make 48 cents. I promise to stand up for women's rights and equal pay. I will not rest until every woman earns as much as her male peers, regardless of race, ethnicity, family status, or salary history. Health Care One of my top priorities will be to ensure that all of our state's residents have access to quality and affordable health care coverage. I will support legislation that aims to reduce drug costs, I will support community hospitals, and I will support policies which move us closer to what I think should be the long-term goal for health care reform -- implementing a public option, single-payer system for Connecticut residents. Also, I will treat the opioid epidemic like the crisis that it is, and direct resources to support better information sharing among health care providers, strengthen the states prescription drug monitoring program, improve treatment programs, and help to get prescription naloxone in more community spaces to help prevent drug overdoses. Honor Our Veterans Our Armed Servicemen and women sacrifice so much to keep us safe, it is imperative that government work just as hard to serve them as veterans. That is why I support programs to help veterans find jobs and housing, and why I support increased access to mental healthcare for veterans, so these brave servicemen and women can build a life in Connecticut and support their families. Invest in Infrastructure We must increase our investment in the state’s infrastructure. This includes “bricks and mortar” projects, such as roads, bridges, dams, rail, and schools, as well as expanding high speed internet into every community in Connecticut. These projects will help attract larger employers, and they will also make it easier for our essential home-grown businesses to expand and increase their workforces. If the legislature passes tolls in Connecticut, I strongly support reducing the gas tax, which is one of our most outdated and regressive taxes. Connecticut has fallen to 41st out of 50 states in transportation infrastructure according to US News and World Report. This is not acceptable and it costs our state jobs. I strongly encourage all Connecticut voters to support the state transportation “lockbox” initiative that will appear on the ballot this November. It is essential for the future of Connecticut, and will help convince potential employers that our state is serious about investing in the necessary improvements to our infrastructure that will make our state a better place to do business. Keep our Young People in Connecticut It is critical that we keep young people and families in Connecticut. We can do that by strengthening the pipeline from our high schools, community and technical colleges, and our state colleges and universities. Our students should know that when they graduate there will be a good-paying job waiting for them, right here in Connecticut. One of my priorities will be building partnerships with local businesses and our educational institutions so that our employers have the talent they need, right here. That is why I strongly support bringing businesses and our education system together to increase access to apprenticeships and job training. Also, that is why I support current efforts to raise the state minimum wage and I will fight for paid family leave for all workers. Make Colleges More Affordable We need to make college more affordable and invest in high quality education. Rising tuition costs and oppressive student debt are holding our young people and families back. Every student in Connecticut who has the grades to go to college should have access to college, regardless of their financial situation. That’s why I support free community college for those with financial need and have a plan to pay for it. Organized Labor It is unquestioned that America is strongest when our middle class is thriving, and data clearly shows that the middle class thrives when unions are strong. It is no coincidence that the decades-long Republican war on unions has directly contributed to the ever-increasing income disparity in our country, and the systematic undermining of the middle class. Republicans offer many reasons for their actions, but it all comes down to one word: greed. This alarming concentration of wealth to the top 1% of our country also has a chilling effect on democracy. It allows the ultra-rich to buy elections and exert ever greater control over administrative and judicial appointments, most of which are hostile to organized labor. I will support the right of unions to organize, to engage in collective bargaining, and to participate in the political process. I also recognize that as we seek to rebuild Connecticut’s economy, organized labor is a valuable partner in everything from economic growth to restructuring our existing debt. Protect LGBTQ Equality Connecticut has been at the forefront of protecting marriage equality and civil rights. Currently, however, we have an administration in Washington that is clearly more interested in rolling back hard-fought civil rights protections for LGBTQ Americans than expanding them. I will ensure that Connecticut continues to lead on these issues while shielding our LGBTQ community from any discriminatory actions the federal government takes. Protect Seniors We need to make sure that Connecticut remains an affordable place to live for senior citizens heading into their retirement years. I will work hard on issues affecting senior citizens, including protecting them from predatory reverse mortgage schemes. I will fight to make sure that Social Security income and pension payments for all residents earning $75,000 or less and households under $100,000 remain untaxed. Additionally, I will implore Congress to continue funding Medicare and social security, so senior citizens have the resources they need to stay in their homes and live full, happy lives. Reduce Gun Violence Gun violence has reached epidemic proportions in this country. It is time to move past rhetoric and find common ground. Hunting rifles are not the problem, semi-automatic assault weapons that are designed to hunt and kill dozens of humans at a time and ghost guns are. Banning bump stocks, creating stronger background checks, and providing increased funding for mental health services can keep our families safer without infringing on the rights of law-abiding citizens. It’s true that one state can’t do it alone, but Connecticut can lead the way! Rural Connecticut Having grown up on a farm in Middletown, I understand how important it is that every community in our state feels heard and represented in Hartford. That is why I will fight for good schools, jobs, and healthcare in our rural towns just as hard as I fight for our cities and suburbs, starting with better broadband internet speeds and accessibility. I will also fight for farmers, by working with the legislature and the United States Congress to ensure they are working on an equal playing field with farmers in neighboring states. Support STEM Education Connecticut is a nationally recognized leader in bioscience, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing. The Brookings Institute ranks Bridgeport, Stamford, and Norwalk among the country's top advanced industry hotspots. Connecticut's bioscience sector is "projected to create more than 16,000 new permanent jobs in the state and generate additional personal income of $4.6 billion by 2037," according to the Hartford Business Journal. Additionally, industries such as aerospace engineering and advanced manufacturing are rapidly expanding in our state. Therefore, we must expand STEM education as well as the number of students – both male and female – studying computer science and coding. Women and minorities are still underrepresented in these areas. We must work with educators, employers, and the General Assembly to increase the number of students taking computer science at all levels. Women’s Health I’ve been a champion for women’s health throughout my career. As a State Representative, I’m proud to have written legislation to ban “drive-through” mastectomies and ensure that women being treated for breast cancer had proper care. As Secretary of the State, I fought to help small business owners get access to more affordable health care. With both healthcare and reproductive access under threat from the current administration, Connecticut needs a staunch advocate leading the fight against any loss of access or coverage.	”
—Susan Bysiewicz’s campaign website (2018)

Campaign contributions

2006 Race for Secretary of State - Campaign Contributions
Total Raised		$815,144
Total Raised by Primary Opponent		N/A
Total Raised by Gen. Election Opponent		$48,682
Top 5 Contributors		Richard M. Leibert $1,500 (0.18% of Total)
		Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 777 $1,500 (0.18%)
		Leo Van Munching Jr. $1,500 (0.18%)
		Tammy Levine $1,500 (0.18%)
		Paul T. Breitenbach $1,500 (0.18%)
Other Notable Contributors		Connecticut Healthcare District 1199/SEIU $1,500 (0.18%)
Individuals v. Institutions		$742,505 (91.1%)
		$57,040 (7.0%)
In v. Outside State		$767,326 (95.0%)
		$40,225 (5.0%)

Issues

Qualifications

Chapter 35, Section 3-124 of the General Statutes of Connecticut states "The Attorney General shall be an attorney of law of at least ten years’ active practice at the bar of this state." Although she received a law degree and became an attorney in the state of Connecticut in 1986, Bysiewicz had actively practiced for six years before becoming a state legislator and then secretary of state.

Susan Bysiewicz for Attorney General Campaign logo

Bysiewicz announced on February 18, 2010 that she would seek a ruling from a Hartford Superior Court judge to determine her eligibility. Superior Court Judge Michael Sheldon ruled on Wednesday, May 6, 2010, "that Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz meets the qualifications to hold the office of attorney general." Nearly ten days after the ruling was issued, the State GOP filed an appeal challenging the ruling.

The State Supreme Court, which ordered attorneys on both sides to file briefs Friday, May 14, set Tuesday, May 18, as the date that it would hear oral arguments. The seven justices unanimously reversed the decision and declared that Bysiewicz was ineligible to run for the statewide office of attorney general. In a statement released on Thursday, May 20, Bysiewicz announced that not only would she not seek the office of state attorney general, but she would also not seek re-election in her current state governmental position.

Other roles

• Member, Connecticut Public Affairs Network (1998-present)
• Member, National Association of Secretaries of State (1998-present)
• Honorary Chair, Polish American Advisory Council (1998-present)
• Member, Women's Campaign School at Yale University (1998-present)
• Honorary Chair, Student Parent Mock Election (2002)

Notable endorsements

See also: Ballotpedia: Our approach to covering endorsements

This section displays endorsements this individual made in elections within Ballotpedia's coverage scope.

Notable candidate endorsements by Susan Bysiewicz

Endorsee	Election	Stage	Outcome
Joe Biden  source  (D, Working Families Party)	President of the United States (2020)	Primary	Won General

Noteworthy events

Decision to self-quarantine because of coronavirus on January 8, 2021

See also: Politicians, candidates, and government officials diagnosed with or quarantined due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

Coronavirus pandemic
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On January 8, 2021, Bysiewicz announced that she would self-quarantine after a member of her staff tested positive for COVID-19.

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Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by -	Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut 2019-Present	Succeeded by -
Preceded by -	Connecticut Secretary of State 1999-2011	Succeeded by -
Preceded by -	Connecticut House of Representatives District 100 1993-1999	Succeeded by -