{{Short description|American lawyer and politician (born 1954)}} {{pp-pc1}} {{Infobox officeholder |name = George Jepsen |image = George Jepsen.jpg |office = 24th [[Connecticut Attorney General|Attorney General of Connecticut]] |governor = [[Dannel Malloy|Dan Malloy]] |term_start = January 5, 2011 |term_end = January 9, 2019 |predecessor = [[Richard Blumenthal]] |successor = [[William Tong]] |office1 = Chair of the [[Democratic Party of Connecticut|Connecticut Democratic Party]] |term_start1 = December 13, 2002 |term_end1 = January 2005 |predecessor1 = John Olsen |successor1 = [[Nancy DiNardo]] |office2 = Majority Leader of the [[Connecticut State Senate]] |term_start2 = January 8, 1997 |term_end2 = 2003 |predecessor2 = James T. Fleming |successor2 = [[Martin Looney]] |state_senate3 = Connecticut State |district3 = [[Connecticut's 27th State Senate District|27th]] |term_start3 = January 9, 1991 |term_end3 = January 2003 |predecessor3 = [[Richard Blumenthal]] |successor3 = [[Andrew J. McDonald|Andrew McDonald]] |state_house4 = Connecticut |district4 = [[Connecticut's 148th House of Representatives district|148th]] |term_start4 = January 7, 1987 |term_end4 = January 9, 1991 |predecessor4 = [[Richard Cunningham (American politician)|Richard Cunningham]] |successor4 = [[Anne McDonald (politician)|Anne McDonald]] |birth_date = {{birth date and age|1954|11|23}} |birth_place = [[Hattiesburg, Mississippi|Hattiesburg]], [[Mississippi]], U.S. |death_date = |death_place = |party = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |spouse = Diana Sousa |children = 2 |education = [[Dartmouth College]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br>[[Harvard University]] ([[Master of Public Policy|MPP]], [[Juris Doctor|JD]]) |website = {{url|ct.gov/ag/site/default.asp|Government website}} }} '''George Christian Jepsen'''<ref name="nytimes">[https://www.nytimes.com/1989/12/17/style/diana-sousa-to-wed-george-c-jepsen-in-may.html Diana Sousa to Wed George C. Jepsen in May], December 17, 1989, ''The New York Times''</ref> (born November 23, 1954) is an American lawyer and politician who served as the 24th [[Connecticut Attorney General|attorney general of Connecticut]] from 2011 to 2019.
Jepsen was a [[Connecticut State Senate|State Senator]] from [[Connecticut]]'s 27th Senate district, representing [[Stamford, Connecticut|Stamford]] and part of [[Darien, Connecticut|Darien]], and served in the Connecticut Senate from 1991 to 2003.<ref name="GJ2010"/> During his time in the Senate, he served as Senate [[Majority leader|Majority Leader]] from 1997 to 2003.<ref name="GJ2010"/> Prior to that, he served in the [[Connecticut House of Representatives]] from 1987 to 1991, representing part of Stamford in Connecticut's 148th House district.<ref name="GJ2010"/> After leaving the State Senate, he became Chairman of the Connecticut [[Connecticut Democratic Party|State Democratic Party]] from 2003 to 2005.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stowe |first=Stacey |date=2003-03-02 |title=Parties Get New Leaders |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/02/nyregion/parties-get-new-leaders.html |access-date=2023-02-21 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-2002-12-15-0212150859-story.html | title=Post-Election Ups and Downs }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/13/nyregion/there-is-no-hiding-from-nancy-dinardo.html | title=There is No Hiding from Nancy DiNardo | newspaper=The New York Times | date=13 February 2005 | last1=Stowe | first1=Stacey }}</ref>
==Early life and education== Jepsen was born in [[Hattiesburg, Mississippi]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-07-21 |title=Jepsen, WNBA, Bethany Fire Department, One Innocent Life |url=https://www.milfordmirror.com/news/article/Jepsen-WNBA-Bethany-Fire-Department-One-14511384.php |access-date=2023-10-23 |website=Milford Mirror |language=en-US}}</ref> A [[Phi Beta Kappa]] graduate of [[Dartmouth College]], he earned his [[Juris Doctor|J.D.]] degree from [[Harvard Law School]] with honors and also earned a master's degree in public policy from the [[Kennedy School of Government]].<ref name="GJ2010"/> To help pay for his education, he worked as a teaching fellow in constitutional law for former [[Watergate]] prosecutor [[Archibald Cox]].<ref name="GJ2010">{{cite web|url=http://www.ct.gov/ag/cwp/view.asp?a=2178&q=471206 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121213053830/http://www.ct.gov/ag/cwp/view.asp?a=2178&q=471206 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 13, 2012 |title=George Jepsen Biography Page |publisher=ct.gov/AG |date= |accessdate=January 9, 2012}}</ref>
==Career== Following graduation, Jepsen worked as staff counsel for Carpenters Local Union 210 for Western Connecticut for nearly ten years,<ref name="GJ2010" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newbritainherald.com/articles/2010/06/05/news/doc4c0aefd294d92098130646.txt |title=Local Dems meet AG candidate |work=The New Britain Herald News |date=June 5, 2010 |accessdate=June 15, 2010}}</ref> which included such responsibilities as negotiating contracts for wages and benefits, representing injured workers, ensuring job safety, and advocating for different bidding practices. In private practice, Jepsen was employed at several Connecticut's law firms, which included work with the [[Connecticut Probate Courts|probate court]], [[estate planning]], representing small business in contract negotiations, government compliance, and real estate transactions. He also served as a defendant in criminal and civil courts.<ref name="GJ2010" />
===Connecticut General Assembly (1987–2003)=== In 1984, Jepsen attempted to primary Democratic Senator of the [[Connecticut's 27th State Senate district|27th district]] Anthony Truglia. Endorsed by [[Mayor of Stamford, Connecticut|Stamford Mayor]] Thom Serrani and former [[Speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives|House Speaker]] Ernst N. Abate, he lost 51% to 49%.<ref>{{cite web |title=Incumbents upset in state primaries |date=September 12, 1984 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8-5HAAAAIBAJ&dq=special+senate+election+connecticut&pg=PA12&article_id=1409,2338685 |website=[[Record-Journal]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Gov. O'Neill's allies ousted in Democratic primaries |date=September 12, 1984 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lTJSAAAAIBAJ&dq=jepsen+truglia&pg=PA4&article_id=1327,2145531 |website=[[The Day (New London)|The Day]]}}</ref>
Jepsen served 16 years in the [[Connecticut General Assembly]], first as State Representative from the 148th House District and then as a State Senator from Connecticut's 27th Senate District, the last six as Majority Leader. As a legislator, Jepsen worked in a variety of areas including [[Sustainable energy|clean energy]], [[gun safety]], and [[Civil and political rights|civil rights]]. Jepsen assisted in the development of laws that reformed [[Health maintenance organization|HMO]] and insurance practices. As Senate Majority Leader, Jepsen worked to develop bills that protect Connecticut's natural assets. Jepsen co-authored the Open Space Trust Fund, an initiative that sets aside $10 million in funding for the purchase of open space. Jepsen worked to pass legislation to revitalize blighted areas in [[brownfield]]s, including efforts to expand state financial assistance to re-developers. This was incentivized by tax credits to businesses that invested in redevelopment of contaminated properties in the state. Jepsen helped the passage of legislation to replace Connecticut's "Sooty Six" power plants with more ecological plants that have lower level of CO2 emissions. These six old coal-burning plants were contributing to Connecticut's unique air pollution problem and rise in [[asthma]] rates. This initiative also involved new funding to upgrade sewage treatment plants for cleaner rivers.<ref name="GJ2010" />
As Senate Majority Leader, Jepsen became a national leader against the [[National Rifle Association]]. He helped pass legislation prohibiting the sale or possession of assault weapons, mandating [[trigger locks]], and necessitating tougher [[Background check|background checks]]. This work was nationally recognized by the [[Brady Campaign]] and the [[Million Mom March]]. Jepsen worked to ban [[sexual orientation discrimination]], strengthen [[hate crime]] laws, and expand Connecticut's living will laws. Jepsen supported health insurance reform to improve covered services for [[Mental disorder|mental illness]] and emergency room conditions. He helped mandate that health insurers cover the costs of [[Mammography|mammograms]] and [[birth control]] and helped pass legislation to outlaw “drive-through” mastectomies and childbirth deliveries, so insurers cover at least a 48-hour hospital stay.<ref name="GJ2010"/>
===2010–2018 Connecticut Attorney General=== {{Main|Connecticut attorney general election, 2010}} [[File:George Jepsen (Attorney General).jpg|thumb|right|George Jepsen speaking at a Department of Justice presentation.]] Jepsen announced on January 6, 2010, that he would form an exploratory committee for Attorney General,<ref>{{cite web|last=Bailey |first=Melissa |url=http://newhavenindependent.org/archives/2010/01/jepsens_running.php |title=Jepsen's Running For AG |publisher=New Haven Independent |date=January 6, 2010 |accessdate=June 15, 2010}}</ref> receiving the Democratic Party's endorsement on May 22.<ref name="GJNom">{{cite web|url=http://www.ctmirror.org/story/6112/jepsen-wins-ag-nomination |title=Jepsen wins AG nomination | The Connecticut Mirror |publisher=Ctmirror.org |date=May 22, 2010 |accessdate=June 15, 2010}}</ref> On July 12 Jepsen announced he had qualified for public financing in the Citizens Election Program.<ref>{{cite web| last = Phaneuf|first= Keith|url=http://www.ctmirror.org/story/6741/jepsen-qualifies-public-financing-ags-race|title= Jepsen qualifies for public financing in AG's race|publisher=CT Mirror|date=July 12, 2010|accessdate=July 12, 2010}}</ref> On November 2, 2010, he was elected as [[Connecticut Attorney General|attorney general of Connecticut]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-underticket-election-results-2010-20101102,0,2477571.story|title=Jepsen Declares Victory in Attorney General Race|publisher=courant.com|date=November 2, 2010|accessdate=November 4, 2010}}</ref>
Jepsen was reelected in 2014, defeating Republican opponent Kie Westby.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Mahony|first1=Edmund H.|title=Jepsen Wins Again In Attorney General Race|url=http://www.courant.com/politics/elections/hc-westby-jepsen-fournier-attorney-general-election-2014-20141104-story.html|work=Hartford Courant|date=November 4, 2014}}</ref>
== Electoral history ==
{| class="wikitable" ! colspan="4" |Connecticut State Senate 27th District Democratic primary, 1984 |- |'''Party''' |'''Candidate''' |'''Votes''' |'''%''' |- |Democratic |Anthony Truglia (Inc.) |3,826 |51.39 |- |Democratic |George Jepsen |3,619 |48.61 |- |} {| class="wikitable" ! colspan="4" |Connecticut House of Representatives 148th District Election, 1986 |- |'''Party''' |'''Candidate''' |'''Votes''' |'''%''' |- |Democratic |'''George Jepsen''' |2,779 |53.72 |- |Republican |Marie Hawe |2,394 |46.28 |} {| class="wikitable" ! colspan="4" |Connecticut House of Representatives 148th District Election, 1988 |- |'''Party''' |'''Candidate''' |'''Votes''' |'''%''' |- |Democratic |'''George Jepsen (inc.)''' |4,263 |55.28 |- |Republican |James Rubino |3,448 |44.72 |} {| class="wikitable" ! colspan="4" |Connecticut State Senate 27th District Election, 1990 |- |'''Party''' |'''Candidate''' |'''Votes''' |'''%''' |- |Democratic |George Jepsen |11,827 |52.10 |- |Republican |Werner Depuy |10,082 |44.41 |- |Petition |Richard Cunningham |793 |3.49 |} {| class="wikitable" ! colspan="4" |Connecticut State Senate 27th District Election, 1992 |- |'''Party''' |'''Candidate''' |'''Votes''' |'''%''' |- |Democratic* |'''George Jepsen (inc.)''' |18,692 |54.12 |- |Republican |[[Nick Pavia]] |15,843 |45.88 |} <nowiki>*</nowiki>Jepsen was also listed on the A Connecticut Party line. {| class="wikitable" ! colspan="4" |Connecticut State Senate 27th District Election, 1994 |- |'''Party''' |'''Candidate''' |'''Votes''' |'''%''' |- |Democratic |'''George Jepsen (inc.)''' |11,545 |60.82 |- |Republican |Mike Morris |7,438 |39.18 |} {| class="wikitable" ! colspan="4" |Connecticut State Senate 27th District Election, 1996 |- |'''Party''' |'''Candidate''' |'''Votes''' |'''%''' |- |Democratic |'''George Jepsen (inc.)''' |19,212 |63.97 |- |Republican |Vincent Mobilio |10,820 |36.03 |} {| class="wikitable" ! colspan="4" |Connecticut State Senate 27th District Election, 1998 |- |'''Party''' |'''Candidate''' |'''Votes''' |'''%''' |- |Democratic |'''George Jepsen (inc.)''' |13,071 |66.76 |- |Republican |Joseph Valdes |6,509 |33.24 |} {| class="wikitable" ! colspan="4" |Connecticut State Senate 27th District, 2000 |- |'''Party''' |'''Candidate''' |'''Votes''' |'''%''' |- |Democratic |'''George Jepsen (inc.)''' |19,732 |66.69 |- |Republican |Joseph Bongiorno |9,855 |33.31 |} {| class="wikitable" ! colspan="4" |Connecticut Attorney General Election, 2010 |- |'''Party''' |'''Candidate''' |'''Votes''' |'''%''' |- |Democratic* |'''George Jepsen''' |591,725 |53.71 |- |Republican |[https://ballotpedia.org/Martha_Dean Martha Dean] |480,310 |43.59 |- |Green* |[https://ballotpedia.org/Stephen_Fournier Stephen Fournier] |29,759 |2.70 |} <nowiki>*</nowiki>Jepsen was also listed on the [[Working Families Party]] line; Fournier was also listed on the [[Independent Party of Connecticut|Independent Party]] line. {| class="wikitable" ! colspan="4" |Connecticut Attorney General Election, 2014 |- |'''Party''' |'''Candidate''' |'''Votes''' |'''%''' |- |Democratic* |'''George Jepsen (inc.)''' |590,225 |56.73 |- |Republican* |Kie Westby |427,869 |41.12 |- |Green |Stephen Fournier |22,361 |2.15 |} <nowiki>*</nowiki>Jepsen was also listed on the Working Families Party line; Westby was also listed on the Independent Party line.
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[https://portal.ct.gov/ag Official website of Attorney General George Jepsen]
{{s-start}} {{s-par|us-ct-hs}} {{s-bef|before=[[Richard Cunningham (American politician)|Richard Cunningham]]}} {{s-ttl|title=Member of the [[Connecticut House of Representatives]]<br>from the [[Connecticut's 148th House of Representatives district|148th]] district|years=1987–1991}} {{s-aft|after=[[Anne McDonald (politician)|Anne McDonald]]}} |- {{s-par|us-ct-sen}} {{s-bef|before=[[Richard Blumenthal]]}} {{s-ttl|title=Member of the [[Connecticut State Senate]]<br>from the [[Connecticut's 27th State Senate District|27th]] district|years=1991–2003}} {{s-aft|after=[[Andrew J. McDonald|Andrew McDonald]]}} |- {{s-bef|before=James T. Fleming}} {{s-ttl|title=Majority Leader of the [[Connecticut State Senate]]|years=1997–2003}} {{s-aft|after=[[Martin Looney]]}} |- {{s-ppo}} {{s-bef|before=[[Richard Blumenthal]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] nominee for [[Connecticut Attorney General]]|years=[[2010 Connecticut Attorney General election|2010]], [[2014 Connecticut Attorney General election|2014]]}} {{s-aft|after=[[William Tong]]}} |- {{s-bef|before=[[Joe Courtney (politician)|Joe Courtney]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] nominee for [[Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut]]|years=[[2002 Connecticut gubernatorial election|2002]]}} {{s-aft|after=Mary Glassman}} |- {{s-bef|before=John Olsen}} {{s-ttl|title=Chair of the [[Democratic Party of Connecticut|Connecticut Democratic Party]]|years=2003–2005}} {{s-aft|after=[[Nancy DiNardo]]}} |- {{s-legal}} {{s-bef|before=[[Richard Blumenthal|Dick Blumenthal]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Connecticut Attorney General|Attorney General of Connecticut]]|years=2011–2019}} {{s-aft|after=[[William Tong]]}} {{s-end}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jepsen, George}} [[Category:1954 births]] [[Category:21st-century members of the Connecticut General Assembly]] [[Category:Connecticut attorneys general]] [[Category:Democratic Party Connecticut state senators]] [[Category:Dartmouth College alumni]] [[Category:Harvard Law School alumni]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Democratic Party members of the Connecticut House of Representatives]] [[Category:Politicians from Stamford, Connecticut]] [[Category:Harvard Kennedy School alumni]] [[Category:State political party chairs of Connecticut]]