# Leora Levy > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Leora_Levy > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Leora_Levy.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leora_Levy > Source revision: 1347248728 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Cuban-American businesswoman (born 1957)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2022}} {{Infobox politician | name = Leora Levy | image = Leora Levy confirmation hearing.png | office = [Republican National Committee](/source/Republican_National_Committee)woman
from [Connecticut](/source/Connecticut) | term_start = 2016 | term_end = 2024 | successor = Annalisa Stravato | birth_name = Leora Mariana Rosenberg | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1957|3|31}} | birth_place = [Havana](/source/Havana), [Cuba](/source/Republic_of_Cuba_(1902%E2%80%931959)) | death_date = | death_place = | spouse = {{marriage|Steven Levy|June 1, 1985}} | children = 3 | education = [Brown University](/source/Brown_University) ([BA](/source/Bachelor_of_Arts)) }} '''Leora Mariana Levy''' (''[née](/source/n%C3%A9e)'' '''Rosenberg'''; born March 31, 1957United States Public Records, 1970-2009) is a Cuban-born American businesswoman and politician. She was the Republican nominee in the [2022 United States Senate election in Connecticut](/source/2022_United_States_Senate_election_in_Connecticut). == Early life and education == Levy was born in Cuba in 1957. Her mother and grandparents fled [Lithuania](/source/Lithuania) in 1940.{{Cite web |title=Israel & the Middle East |url=https://leoraforct.com/issues/israel-the-middle-east/ |access-date=July 19, 2022 |website=Leora Levy - Official Senate Campaign Website |language=en-US}} Her family migrated to the United States in 1960 to escape [Fidel Castro](/source/Fidel_Castro)'s regime.{{Cite news |title=Trump-backed Levy wins GOP Senate primary in Connecticut |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/leora-levy-wins-republican-us-senate-primary-in-connecticut/2022/08/09/e0b76782-1858-11ed-b998-b2ab68f58468_story.html |access-date=2022-08-21 |issn=0190-8286}} She earned a [Bachelor of Arts](/source/Bachelor_of_Arts) from [Brown University](/source/Brown_University) in International Relations.{{Cite web|url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/presidential-actions/president-donald-j-trump-announces-intent-nominate-appoint-personnel-key-administration-posts-32/|title=President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Nominate and Appoint Personnel to Key Administration Posts |publisher=The White House|website=trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov|date=September 26, 2019}}{{PD-notice}}{{Cite web |title=Levy, Leora Rosenberg - Republic of Chile - October 2019 |url=https://www.state.gov/levy-leora-rosenberg-republic-of-chile-october-2019/ |website=United States Department of State |language=en-US |access-date=May 5, 2020}}{{Cite news|title=After escaping Castro's Cuba as a child, Leora Levy has become the top Republican fundraiser in Connecticut|url=https://www.courant.com/politics/hc-pol-prescott-bush-dinner-leora-levy-20190916-gr6g5vvmg5cezizfshz3jiix3m-story.html|last=Keating|first=Christopher|newspaper=[Hartford Courant](/source/Hartford_Courant)|access-date=May 12, 2020}} Levy is [Jewish](/source/Jewish) and is fluent in Spanish. == Career == Levy was one of the first female [commodity traders](/source/commodity_trader) to work as a sugar trader and an assistant vice president at Ambrit Sugars, as well as a traffic executive and trader for international sugar, steel and copper concentrates at Phibro-Salomon, Inc. Levy also serves on the Board of Directors of SoldierStrong, a non-profit organization based in Connecticut.{{cite news |last1=Fenster |first1=By Jordan |title=Greenwich woman named U.S. ambassador to Chile |url=https://www.greenwichtime.com/local/article/Greenwich-woman-named-U-S-ambassador-to-Chile-14473471.php |work=Greenwich Time |date=27 September 2019 |language=en}} == Politics == Levy was finance chairman of the [Connecticut Republican Party](/source/Connecticut_Republican_Party) from 2013 to 2015. She served as the finance chair for Republican [Bob Stefanowski](/source/Bob_Stefanowski) during his unsuccessful bid for [Governor of Connecticut](/source/Governor_of_Connecticut) in [2018](/source/2018_Connecticut_gubernatorial_election).{{Cite news |last=Kroeker |first=Jo |date=December 12, 2019 |title=Trump ambassador hopeful Leora Levy of Greenwich once called him 'vulgar' |newspaper=[Greenwich Time](/source/Greenwich_Time_(newspaper)) |url=https://www.greenwichtime.com/local/article/Trump-ambassador-hopeful-Leora-Levy-of-Greenwich-14902244.php |access-date=May 5, 2020}} She is a representative to the [Republican National Committee](/source/Republican_National_Committee) for [Connecticut](/source/Connecticut_Republican_Party). In 2019, Levy was named the winner of the [Prescott Bush](/source/Prescott_Bush) Award, the highest honor of the [Connecticut Republican Party](/source/Connecticut_Republican_Party).{{Cite news|last1=Altimari|first1=Daniela|last2=Keating|first2=Christopher|title=White House nominates Greenwich's Leora Levy to be U.S. ambassador to Chile|url=https://www.courant.com/politics/capitol-watch/hc-pol-leora-levy-chile-20190927-gcrxhcfjifd3pi6ihubxbbej3y-story.html|access-date=May 5, 2020|newspaper=[Hartford Courant](/source/Hartford_Courant)}} In the 2016 Republican primary, she supported [Florida Governor](/source/Florida_Governor) [Jeb Bush](/source/Jeb_Bush). She criticized [Donald Trump](/source/Donald_Trump), saying at the time that he was "vulgar, ill-mannered and disparages those whom he cannot intimidate".{{Cite magazine|title=How Greenwich Republicans Learned to Love Trump|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/05/11/how-greenwich-republicans-learned-to-love-trump|last=Osnos|first=Evan|magazine=[The New Yorker](/source/The_New_Yorker)|language=en|access-date=May 12, 2020|date=May 3, 2020}} She later applauded Trump's leadership. In February 2022, she voted for a package of RNC resolutions that included a [censure](/source/censure) of Reps. [Liz Cheney](/source/Liz_Cheney) and [Adam Kinzinger](/source/Adam_Kinzinger). === Ambassadorship nomination === On September 26, 2019, President Trump announced his intent to nominate Levy to be the next [United States Ambassador to Chile](/source/United_States_Ambassador_to_Chile). On October 25, 2019, her nomination was sent to the Senate.{{Cite web|url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/presidential-actions/twenty-five-nominations-three-withdrawals-sent-senate/|title=Twenty-five Nominations and Three Withdrawals Sent to the Senate |publisher=The White House|website=trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov|date=October 25, 2019}} On January 3, 2020, her nomination was returned to the President under [Rule XXXI, Paragraph 6](/source/Standing_Rules_of_the_United_States_Senate%2C_Rule_XXXI) of the [United States Senate](/source/United_States_Senate).{{Cite web |title=PN1162 - Nomination of Leora Rosenberg Levy for Department of State, 116th Congress (2019-2020) |url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/116th-congress/1162 |date=January 3, 2020 |website=[Congress.gov](/source/Congress.gov) |access-date=May 5, 2020}} On May 4, 2020, her renomination was sent to the Senate.{{Cite web|url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/presidential-actions/thirty-nominations-one-withdrawal-sent-senate/|title=Thirty Nominations and One Withdrawal Sent to the Senate |publisher=The White House|website=trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov|date=May 4, 2020}} On January 3, 2021, her nomination was returned to the President under the same Rule XXXI, Paragraph 6 of the United States Senate.{{Cite web |date=January 3, 2021 |title=PN1734 - Nomination of Leora Rosenberg Levy for Department of State, 116th Congress (2019-2020) |url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/116th-congress/1734 |access-date=January 13, 2021 |website=[Congress.gov](/source/Congress.gov)}} === Candidacy for U.S. Senate === {{main|2022 United States Senate election in Connecticut}} In February 2022, Levy announced her candidacy for [U.S. Senate](/source/U.S._Senate) to represent [Connecticut](/source/Connecticut), to run against incumbent [Democratic](/source/Democratic_Party_(United_States)) [U.S. Senator](/source/U.S._Senator) [Richard Blumenthal](/source/Richard_Blumenthal). The primary had been described as being between the moderate and conservative wings of the Republican party, with Levy being the conservative candidate against the more moderate former [state House](/source/Connecticut_House_of_Representatives) [Minority Leader](/source/Minority_Leader) [Themis Klarides](/source/Themis_Klarides). Abortion was a key issue within the primary, with Klarides supporting abortion rights and Levy supporting the right to life.{{Cite web |date=2022-07-26 |title=Klarides draws conservative criticism ahead of GOP primary |url=https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-abortion-gay-rights-richard-blumenthal-congress-ee74199fd27dc3a5b89a6af5c470b0c9 |access-date=2022-08-21 |website=AP NEWS |language=en}} On August 4, 2022, five days before the Republican primary, former President [Donald Trump](/source/Donald_Trump) endorsed Levy.{{cite web|last=Pazniokas|first=Mark|url=https://ctmirror.org/2022/08/04/donald-trump-endorses-leora-levy-for-u-s-senate-in-live-phone-call/|title=Donald Trump endorses Leora Levy for U.S. Senate in live phone call|work=[The Connecticut Mirror](/source/The_Connecticut_Mirror)|date=August 4, 2022|access-date=August 5, 2022}} On August 9, Levy defeated Klarides and attorney Peter Lumaj in the primary.{{cite news |title=Endorsed by Trump, Leora Levy Wins GOP U.S. Senate Primary in Connecticut |url=https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/decision-2022/endorsed-by-trump-leora-levy-wins-gop-u-s-senate-primary-in-connecticut/2849434/ |access-date=August 10, 2022 |work=[NBC Connecticut](/source/WVIT) |date=August 9, 2022}} Many have described her victory as an [upset](/source/upset_(competition)).{{cite web | url=https://news.yahoo.com/trump-backed-leora-levy-scores-172400969.html | title=Trump-backed Leora Levy scores MAGA upset in Connecticut GOP Senate primary | date=August 10, 2022 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/donald-trump-backed-gop-connecticut-primary-candidate-leora-levy-wins-upset | title=Donald Trump-backed GOP Connecticut primary candidate Leora Levy wins in upset | website=[Fox News](/source/Fox_News) | date=August 10, 2022 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.courant.com/politics/hc-pol-primary-vote-results-main-bar-20220810-slnbi6ddsbf65kaqc3kflww5sm-story.html | title=Leora Levy wins surprise victory for U.S. Senate after gaining Trump endorsement; Erick Russell wins for treasurer | date=August 10, 2022 }} In her acceptance speech, Levy reminded supporters of her opposition to job-related vaccine requirements, and abortion and transgender rights.{{cite news |last1=Pazniokas |first1=Mark |title=Who is Leora Levy? Meet the CT GOP candidate for U.S. Senate running on Trump's platform |url=https://ctmirror.org/2022/08/02/leora-levy-ct-gop-republican-candidate-us-senate-running-trump-platform// |access-date=October 28, 2022 |work=[The Connecticut Mirror](/source/The_Connecticut_Mirror) |date=August 2, 2022}} On November 8, 2022, Blumenthal, with 57.5% of votes cast, convincingly defeated Levy to win a third term in the Senate.{{Cite news |last1=Phillips |first1=Erica E. |last2=Hagen |first2=Lisa |date=2022-11-09 |title=CT Senate race results: Richard Blumenthal defeats Leora Levy |language=en-US |work=The Connecticut Mirror |url=http://ctmirror.org/2022/11/08/ct-senate-election-richard-blumenthal-leora-levy/ |access-date=2022-11-19}} == Personal life == On June 2, 1985, Rosenberg married Stephen Levy, in [Rye, New York](/source/Rye%2C_New_York). They have three sons and seven dogs. Levy resides in [Greenwich, Connecticut](/source/Greenwich%2C_Connecticut).{{Cite news |date=1985-06-02 |title=LEORA ROSENBERG AND STEVEN LEVY ARE WED IN RYE |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/06/02/style/leora-rosenberg-and-steven-levy-are-wed-in-rye.html |access-date=2023-03-13 |issn=0362-4331}} ==References== {{reflist|30em}} {{s-start}} {{s-ppo}} {{s-bef|before=[Dan E. Carter](/source/Dan_E._Carter)}} {{s-ttl|title=[Republican](/source/Republican_Party_(United_States)) nominee for [U.S. Senator](/source/United_States_Senate) from [Connecticut](/source/Connecticut)
([Class 3](/source/Classes_of_United_States_senators))|years=[2022](/source/2022_United_States_Senate_election_in_Connecticut)}} {{s-inc|recent}} {{s-end}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Levy, Leora}} Category:1957 births Category:21st-century American businesswomen Category:21st-century American businesspeople Category:American people of Cuban-Jewish descent Category:American people of Lithuanian-Jewish descent Category:Brown University alumni Category:Candidates in the 2022 United States Senate elections Category:Connecticut Republicans Category:Cuban emigrants to the United States Category:21st-century Cuban Jews Category:Living people Category:Philanthropists from Connecticut Category:Jewish American women in politics Category:Jewish businesswomen --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Leora Levy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leora_Levy) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leora_Levy?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.