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{{Short description|American politician}}
{{Infobox Politician
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Matthew Lesser
| image =
| name = Matt Lesser
| caption =
| state_senate = Connecticut
| district = [[Connecticut's 9th State Senate district|9th]]
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1983|4|29|mf=y}}
| term_start = January 9, 2019
| birth_place = [[Washington, DC]]
| term_end =
| residence = [[Middletown, Connecticut|Middletown, Connecticut]]
| predecessor = [[Paul Doyle (politician)|Paul Doyle]]
| death_date =
| successor =
| death_place =
| office = [[Connecticut Senate|Connecticut Senator]] from the 9th District
| state_house1 = Connecticut
| district1 = 100th
| term_start = January 9, 2019
| term_start1 = January 7, 2009
| term_end =
| term_end1 = January 9, 2019
| predecessor = [[Paul R. Doyle]]
| predecessor1 = [[Raymond Kalinowski]]
| successor =
| successor1 = [[Quentin Williams]]
| office2 = Member of the [[Connecticut House of Representatives]] from the 100th District
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1983|4|29}}
| term_start2 = January, 2009
| birth_place = [[Washington, D.C.]], U.S.
| term_end2 = January 9, 2019
| death_date =
| predecessor2 = N/A
| death_place =
| successor2 = Quentin Phipps
| party = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]]
| party = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| education = [[Wesleyan University]]
| religion =
| majority =
| image =
| residence = [[Middletown, Connecticut|Middletown]]
| spouse =
| children = 2
| alma_mater = [[Wesleyan University]]
}}
}}
'''Matthew L. Lesser''' (born 28 April 1983) is an American politician who represents the [[Connecticut's 9th State Senate district|9th district]] in the [[Connecticut State Senate]]. A member of the [[Democratic Party (United States)|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 [[2022 Connecticut Secretary of the State election#Controversy|Connecticut Secretary of the State in 2022]].


==Early life==
'''Matt L. Lesser''' is an American politician who represents the 9th district in the [[Connecticut Senate]]. First elected to the State House in 2008, Lesser has since been re-elected in 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2016 and is currently serving his fifth term in office.<ref name="ct.gov">{{cite web|url=http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Lesser/Biography|title=Biography|date=17 December 2015|publisher=|accessdate=26 January 2018}}</ref> In 2018 he was elected as senator for the 9th district.
Lesser grew up in the [[Washington, D.C. area]].<ref>[https://www.middletownpress.com/news/article/Matt-Lesser-named-to-list-of-movers-and-11856698.php Matt Lesser named to list of 'movers and shakers'], ''Middletown Press'' (December 27, 2013).</ref> His father once reported for ''[[The Washington Post]]''.<ref>Mark Pazniokas, [https://ctmirror.org/2021/03/18/can-the-state-defend-a-newspaper-against-a-hedge-fund/ Can the state defend a newspaper against a hedge fund?], ''CT Mirror'' (March 18, 2021).</ref> His mother is from [[Argentina]].<ref>{{Cite news |author=<!--not stated--> |date=February 26, 2013 |title=Matt Lesser asks to join Black & Latino caucus.|url=https://www.nhregister.com/connecticut/article/Matt-Lesser-asks-to-join-Black-Latino-caucus-11419523.php|work=New Haven Register}}</ref>


==Early career==
==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 in the United States|voter registration]] drives.<Ref>Steph Dukich, [http://wesleyanargus.com/2018/11/05/democratic-candidates-matt-lesser-and-quentin-q-phipps-discuss-campaigns-in-pac/ Democratic Candidates Matt Lesser and Quentin "Q" Phipps Discuss Campaigns in PAC], ''Wesleylan Argus'' (November 5, 2018).</ref> He was elected as Chairman of the Middletown Planning and Zoning Commission.<ref name=Drake>Olivia Drake, [https://newsletter.blogs.wesleyan.edu/2008/11/11/lesser-10-state-rep-elect-for-middletown/ Lesser '10 State Rep. Elect for Middletown], Wesleyan University (November 11, 2008).</ref>


===State House===
In 2006, Lesser, as a full-time student at [[Wesleyan University]] and President of the [[College Democrats of Connecticut]], organized the largest student voter mobilization drive in the country. He hired staff and organized students across the state, increasing voter turnout by nearly 700% at the [[University of Connecticut]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.democrats.org/a/2006/11/college_democra_9.php |title=College Democrats Bring Young Voters to the Polls |accessdate=2008-06-15 }}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite news | title=Convention Updates | date=2008-05-21 | url =http://ctlocalpolitics.net/2008/05/21/convention-updates/ | accessdate = 2008-06-15 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.wesleyan.edu/alumni/gold/features/matt-lesser-10.html |title=Matt Lesser: '10 State Representative|publisher=Wesleyan University|access-date=2011-01-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110105080209/http://www.wesleyan.edu/alumni/gold/features/matt-lesser-10.html |archive-date=2011-01-05 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Connecticut Secretary of State [[Susan Bysiewicz]], who once held the 100th District State representative seat, endorsed him.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnaJNbwwQoE |title= Susan Bysiewicz at 100th House District Convention |website= [[YouTube]] |accessdate=2008-06-15 |date=2008-05-21 }}{{cbignore}}{{Dead YouTube link|date=February 2022}}</ref> Lesser also received support from [[Thomas Gaffey|State Senator Tom Gaffey]] and Middletown DTC Chairman Dan Russo.<ref>{{cite news | title=Matt Lesser Nominated in 100th District | url =http://www.spazeboy.net/2008/05/matt-lesser-nominated-in-100th-district/ | accessdate = 2008-06-15 }}</ref> Lesser defeated three-term Republican incumbent Ray Kalinowski.<ref>{{cite news | title=Candidate Cites His Experience | date=2008-06-10 | work=[[The Baltimore Sun]] | url =http://www.baltimoresun.com/topic/hc-1diglet0610.art0jun10,0,3549156.story | accessdate = 2008-06-19 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title=Stay With Ray | date=2008-06-13 | newspaper=The Town Times| url=http://es1.tecnavia.com/ee/recordjournalpublishing/default.php?pSetup=towntimes | pages=8 & 20 | accessdate=2008-06-19 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080621081758/http://es1.tecnavia.com/ee/recordjournalpublishing/default.php?pSetup=towntimes | archive-date=2008-06-21 | url-status=dead }}</ref> Lesser took a leave of absence from Wesleyan in the fall 2008 semester.<ref name=Drake/>


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.<ref name=2013Guide>{{cite web|url=https://www.cga.ct.gov/olm/guides/guide/Guide.pdf|date=2013–2014|title=Legislative Guide|publisher=Connecticut General Assembly}}</ref> In 2015, he became co-chair of the Banking Committee.<ref name="ct.gov">{{cite web|url=http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Lesser/Biography|title=Biography|date=17 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180127004556/http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Lesser/Biography |archive-date=2018-01-27 }}</ref> He also was a member of the member of the Insurance and Real Estate Committee.<ref name="ct.gov"/>
In 2007, Lesser was elected as Chairman of the Middletown Planning and Zoning Commission with a platform of preserving open space.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mattlesser.com/biography.html |title=Biography: Matthew Lesser, Democrat for State Representative |accessdate=2008-06-15 }}</ref>


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;<ref>{{cite web|title=Inside one state's effort to tackle the student debt crisis|url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/inside-one-states-effort-to-tackle-the-student-debt-crisis-2016-01-07|author=Jillian Berman|date=January 10, 2016|newspaper=MarketWatch}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Morgan Crabtree|url=https://www.wtnh.com/news/connecticut-is-the-first-state-to-implement-student-loan-bill-of-rights|title=Connecticut is the first state to implement Student Loan Bill of Rights|publisher=[[WTNH]]|date=July 14, 2015}}</ref> an act prohibiting [[Environmental impact of fracking|fracking waste]] from being dumped in Connecticut,<ref>{{cite web|author=Jan Ellen Spiegel|url=https://ctmirror.org/2014/02/12/no-fracking-in-connecticut-but-what-about-its-waste/|title=No fracking in Connecticut, but what about its waste?|date=February 12, 2014|work=CTMirror}}</ref> and updated workplace safety standards.<ref name="ct.gov"/> He also pressed for a review of [[natural gas pipeline]]s in Connecticut after the 2018 [[Merrimack Valley gas explosions]] in neighboring Massachusetts.<ref>[https://apnews.com/cf331648e8ed4d2cac89e891b4ac5214 Connecticut state lawmakers want review of gas pipelines], Associated Press (October 1, 2018).</ref> In 2013, Lesser voted in favor of the [[Gun laws in Connecticut|gun control bill]] that passed in the wake of the [[Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre]].<ref>[https://ctmirror.org/2013/04/04/connecticut-house-roll-call-gun-control-bill/ Connecticut House roll call on gun-control bill], ''CT Mirror'' (April 4, 2013).</ref>
==House election==


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]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/Drew-Lesser-named-to-Democratic-Party-leadership-11532535.php|title=Drew, Lesser named to Democratic Party leadership posts|date=August 9, 2012|work=New Haven Register}}</ref>
On May 20, 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.<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Convention Updates | date=2008-05-21 | publisher= | url =http://ctlocalpolitics.net/2008/05/21/convention-updates/ | work = | pages = | accessdate = 2008-06-15 | language = }}</ref><ref>http://www.wesleyan.edu/alumni/gold/features/matt-lesser-10.html</ref> Lesser received the endorsement of then-Connecticut Secretary of State [[Susan Bysiewicz]], who once held the 100th District State representative seat.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnaJNbwwQoE |title= Susan Bysiewicz at 100th House District Convention |accessdate=2008-06-15 |date=2008-05-21 }}</ref> Lesser also received support from [[Thomas Gaffey|State Senator Tom Gaffey]] and Middletown DTC Chairman Dan Russo.<ref>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Matt Lesser Nominated in 100th District | date= | publisher= | url =http://www.spazeboy.net/2008/05/matt-lesser-nominated-in-100th-district/ | work = | pages = | accessdate = 2008-06-15 | language = }}</ref> Lesser defeated 3-term incumbent [[Ray Kalinowski]], a veteran, retired federal agent, former first selectman, and member of the state legislature for six years, who claimed "The only way to get 10 years of experience is to work for 10 years." <ref>{{cite news | title=Candidate Cites His Experience | date=2008-06-10 | publisher=[[The Baltimore Sun]] | url =http://www.baltimoresun.com/topic/hc-1diglet0610.art0jun10,0,3549156.story | work = | pages = | accessdate = 2008-06-19 | language = }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title=Stay With Ray | date=2008-06-13 | publisher=[[The Town Times]] | url =http://es1.tecnavia.com/ee/recordjournalpublishing/default.php?pSetup=towntimes | work = | pages = 8 & 20| accessdate = 2008-06-19 | language = }}</ref>


In 2017, Lesser considered running for [[2018 Connecticut Secretary of the State election|Connecticut Secretary of the State in 2018]] and formed an exploratory committee, but said he would only run if [[Denise Merrill|Denise W. Merrill]] did not seek election.<ref>Day, Cassandra. (July 7, 2017). [https://www.nhregister.com/connecticut/article/Connecticut-state-Rep-Matt-Lesser-raises-58-000-11308863.php Connecticut state Rep. Matt Lesser raises $58,000 for possible 2018 secretary of the state bid.] ''New Haven Register''.</ref>
In Connecticut's General Assembly, Lesser serves as the House Chairman of the Banking Committee. Additionally, he sits on the Government Administration and Elections and Insurance and Real Estate Committees.<ref name="ct.gov"/>


===State Senate===
Since taking office in 2009, Lesser has written and passed a number of laws, including Connecticut's first in the nation Student Loan Bill of Rights,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.housedems.ct.gov/Lesser/2015/pr100_2015-09-15.asp|title=State Representative Matthew Lesser|website=www2.housedems.ct.gov|accessdate=26 January 2018}}</ref> an act prohibiting fracking waste from being dumped in Connecticut,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ctmirror.org/2014/02/12/no-fracking-in-connecticut-but-what-about-its-waste/|title=No fracking in Connecticut, but what about its waste?|publisher=|accessdate=26 January 2018}}</ref> and updated workplace safety standards.<ref name="ct.gov"/> Additionally, Lesser has dedicated his political career to expanding and securing voting rights, advocating for measures such as early voting in Connecticut, no excuse absentee voting, and the national popular vote interstate compact.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.middletownpress.com/article/MI/20170418/NEWS/170419686|title=Middletown’s state Rep. Matt Lesser considering bid for Connecticut secretary of state in 2018|publisher=|accessdate=26 January 2018}}</ref>
In May 2018, Lesser announced a run for state senator from the 9th district,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ctpost.com/middletown/article/Middletown-state-Rep-Lesser-running-for-9th-12934335.php|title=Middletown state Rep. Lesser running for 9th District Senate|date=May 23, 2018|website=Connecticut Post}}</ref> which includes [[Cromwell, Connecticut|Cromwell]], [[Newington, Connecticut|Newington]], [[Rocky Hill, Connecticut|Rocky Hill]], and portions of Middletown and [[Wethersfield, Connecticut|Wethersfield]].<ref>Cassandra Day, [https://www.middletownpress.com/news/article/Election-Middletown-candidates-for-House-Senate-17549064.php Election '22: Meet Middletown candidates for 100th, 33rd House; 9th Senate], ''Middletown Press'' (November 1, 2022).</ref> He won the August 2018 primary against former state representative Antonio Guerrera.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.courant.com/2018/08/14/matt-lesser-wins-democratic-9th-senate-primary/|title=Matt Lesser Wins Democratic 9th Senate Primary|last=Beals|first=Shawn R.|website=Hartford Courant|date=August 14, 2018}}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/30/nyregion/jewish-mailer-matt-lesser.html|title=Political Mailer Prompts Charges of Anti-Semitism|last=Foderaro|first=Lisa W.|date=October 30, 2018|work=The New York Times|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2018/10/31/republican-mailer-depicts-jewish-candidate-gripping-cash-grinning-gop-is-defending-it/|title=Republican mailer depicts a Jewish candidate gripping cash and grinning. The GOP is no longer defending it.|last=Rosenberg|first=Eli|date=October 31, 2018|newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref><ref name=Nov2018Win>{{Cite web|url=https://www.courant.com/2018/11/06/lesser-wins-9th-senate-district-in-race-that-gained-national-attention-for-anti-semitism-charges/|title=Lesser Wins 9th Senate District In Race That Gained National Attention For Anti-Semitism Charges|last=Beals|first=Shawn R.|website=Hartford Courant|date=November 6, 2018}}</ref> Lesser won the general election in November,<ref name=Nov2018Win/> and was appointed Senate chairman of the Insurance and Real Estate Committee the following month.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wtnh.com/news/politics/senator-elect-matt-lesser-appointed-to-co-chair-of-the-insurance-and-real-estate-committee/1676563993|title=Senator-Elect Matt Lesser appointed to Co-Chair of the Insurance and Real Estate Committee|last=Ramirez|first=Hector|date=December 27, 2018|publisher=WTNH}}</ref> He was reelected in 2020<ref name=2020Elect/> and 2022.<ref name=2022Elect/>


As a state senator, Lesser has written laws to guarantee [[mental health parity]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ctmirror.org/2019/07/08/mental-health-parity-bill-signed-into-law|title=Mental health parity bill signed into law|last=Carlesso|first=Jenna|date=July 8, 2019|website=CT Mirror}}</ref> expand access to [[Epinephrine autoinjector |epinephrine devices]] (such as EpiPens) in public venues,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.middletownpress.com/middletown/article/New-CT-law-makes-epinephrine-devices-EpiPens-14067120.php|title=New CT law makes epinephrine devices, EpiPens available in public venues|date=July 7, 2019|website=Middletown Press}}</ref> and to [[Prescription drug prices in the United States|cap the cost]] of [[Insulin (medication)|insulin]] at $25.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://diabetes.org/newsroom/co-pays-for-insulin-and-diabetes-medications-capped-at-25-in-CT|title=Co-Pays for Insulin and Diabetes Medications Capped at $25 in Connecticut|date=August 6, 2020|publisher=[[American Diabetes Association]]}}</ref> In the 2019 [[Legislative session#State legislatures|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")<ref name="Celebrate2">{{Cite web |date=May 3, 2019|title=Connecticut lawmakers celebrate health care public option bill |url=https://www.middletownpress.com/middletown/article/Connecticut-lawmakers-celebrate-health-care-13817250.php|website=The Middletown Press}}</ref><ref name="ClearComm2">{{Cite web |date=May 19, 2019|title=Public option health insurance bills clear committee |url=https://ctmirror.org/2019/03/19/public-option-health-insurance-bills-clear-committee/|website=The CT Mirror |language=en-US}}</ref> that ultimately failed amid opposition from health insurers.<ref>Shefali Luthra, [https://khn.org/news/connecticut-public-option-battle-insurers-pushback-federal-health-care-reform/ Insurers Sank Connecticut's 'Public Option.' Would A National Version Survive?], KHN (March 4, 2020).</ref>
In 2012, Lesser was elected to a leadership role in the Democratic Party's National Platform Committee, which was co-chaired by then Newark, NJ mayor Corey Booker and Lt. Gen. Claudia Kennedy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhregister.com/article/NH/20120809/NEWS/308099849|title=Drew, Lesser named to Democratic Party leadership posts|publisher=|accessdate=26 January 2018}}</ref> Lesser has worked on behalf of Senators Chris Dodd and Barack Obama.

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&ndash;71 vote in the House and 21&ndash;14 vote in the Senate).<ref>Susan Haigh, [https://apnews.com/general-news-64aa4481f15c4ceb926f609f02715c8d Connecticut lawmakers vote to join popular vote pact], Associated Press (May 6, 2018).</ref>

During the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], Lesser wrote a law expanding access to [[telehealth]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://senatedems.ct.gov/lesser-news/3338-lesser-200728#sthash.cIb5oeqM.dpbs|title=Senator Lesser Leads Passage of Telehealth and Insulin Bills}}</ref> In 2023, Lesser was one of several legislators and staff to test positive for [[COVID-19]], prompting the Senate to implement a masking policy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McQuaid |first=Hugh |date=May 30, 2023|title=Senate Masking Requirements Return Amid New COVID Cases |url=https://ctnewsjunkie.com/2023/05/30/senate-requirements-return-amid-new-covid-cases/ |website=CT News Junkie |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dixon |first=Ken |date=May 30, 2023|title=COVID infections in state Senate prompt CT lawmakers to make changes|work=CTInsider|url=https://www.ctinsider.com/politics/article/covid-infection-state-senate-forces-return-masks-18125191.php}}</ref> He was absent from several votes while [[Isolation (health care)|isolating]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 31, 2023|title=Senate Democrats vote to bring early voting to Connecticut in 2024 |url=https://www.wshu.org/connecticut-news/2023-05-31/senate-democrats-vote-to-bring-early-voting-to-connecticut-in-2024 |author=y Mark Pazniokas|work=CTMirror|via=WSHU |language=en}}</ref>

In 2022, Lesser sought the Democratic nomination for [[Connecticut Secretary of the State]] in the [[2022 Connecticut Secretary of the State election|2022 election]]. At the [[Democratic Party of Connecticut]] state convention in May 2022, he ran against state Representative [[Stephanie Thomas (politician)|Stephanie Thomas]] of [[Norwalk, Connecticut|Norwalk]], state Representative [[Hilda Santiago]] of [[Meriden, Connecticut|Meriden]], state Representative [[Josh Elliott (politician)|Josh Elliott]] of [[Hamden, Connecticut|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.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Putterman |first=Alex |date=May 10, 2022 |title=Matt Lesser drops out of CT secretary of the state race after missing Democratic endorsement|url=https://www.ctinsider.com/news/article/Matt-Lesser-drops-out-of-CT-secretary-of-the-17162133.php |website=CTInsider}}</ref>

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 (educator)|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 [[Adjournment sine die|last day]] of the 2023 [[Legislative session#State legislatures|legislative session]]. The decision was condemned by various Black community leaders, and criticized by the Connecticut [[NAACP]] and its [[Middlesex County, Connecticut|Middlesex County]] chapter.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Otte |first=Emilia |date=May 13, 2023|title=Capital Prep Wins Approval, But Matt Lesser Says Charter School Still has 'Work to Do' |url=https://ctexaminer.com/2023/03/13/capital-prep-wins-approval-but-state-funding-and-loss-for-middletown-public-schools-at-issue/|website=CT Examiner |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first=Deidre |last=Montague |date=2023-06-05 |title=CT NAACP, others push for funding for Middletown charter school, as 'where you live matters' |url=https://www.courant.com/2023/06/05/ct-naacp-others-push-for-funding-for-middletown-charter-school-as-where-you-live-matters/ |access-date=2024-08-21 |website=Hartford Courant |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="mp">{{Cite web |last=Portfolio |first=Meghan |date=2024-01-22 |title=Black Leaders Call for Sen. Lesser's Removal from Black and Puerto Rican Caucus |url=https://yankeeinstitute.org/2024/01/22/30059/|publisher=[[Yankee Institute for Public Policy]]|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=jh>{{Cite web |first=Jessika |last=Harkay |date=June 9, 2023|title=Two of four proposed CT charter schools left out of state budget |url=https://www.courant.com/2023/06/09/two-of-four-proposed-ct-charter-schools-left-out-of-state-budget/|website=Hartford Courant |language=en-US}}</ref>

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 in the United States|health insurance plans]] to their members.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Erica E. |date=March 17, 2023|title=Sen. Matt Lesser filibusters bill for trade groups to offer health plans |url=https://ctmirror.org/2023/03/17/ct-politics-matt-lesser-trade-association-health-insurance-cos/|website=CT Mirror |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Stuart |first=Christine |date=2023-03-15 |title=Former Insurance Committee Co-Chair Takes A Stand Against Association Health Plans |url=https://ctnewsjunkie.com/2023/03/15/former-insurance-committee-co-chair-takes-a-stand-against-association-health-plans/ |access-date=2024-08-23 |website=CT News Junkie |language=en-US}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":2"/> After Governor [[Ned Lamont]]'s staff agreed to "mediate" issues raised by Lesser, he ended questioning and voted against the bill.<ref name=":2"/> In 2024, he supported expanded eligibility for HUSKY, the Connecticut [[Medicaid]] program.<ref>Maricarmen Cajahuaringa, [https://www.nhpr.org/2024-04-18/connecticut-high-school-students-healthcare-access-husky-medicaid-immigrants CT high school students advocate for expanding HUSKY health care], New Hampshire Public Radio (April 18, 2024).</ref><ref>Katy Golvala, [https://www.courant.com/2024/08/11/thousands-of-ct-residents-to-lose-husky-coverage-health-group-says-state-says-it-saves-millions/ Thousands of CT residents to lose HUSKY coverage, health group says. State says it saves millions.], ''Hartford Courant'' (August 11, 2024).</ref> 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.<ref>Michayla Savitt, [https://ctmirror.org/2024/05/17/ct-medical-debt-reporting-bill/ New CT law will prevent medical debt reporting to creditors], Connecticut Public via ''CT Mirror'' (May 17, 2024).</ref>

===Activities outside the General Assembly===
He was appointed executive director of the Cancer Support Community of Southern Connecticut (which serves [[New London County, Connecticut|New London]], Middlesex, [[New Haven County, Connecticut|New Haven]] and [[Fairfield County, Connecticut|Fairfield]] counties) in 2014.<ref name=CSC-SCT/> In 2015, Lesser was selected as a 2015&ndash;16 Marshall Memorial Fellow by the [[German Marshall Fund of the United States]].<ref>[https://www.middletownpress.com/news/article/Matt-Lesser-selected-for-policy-fellowship-11809725.php Matt Lesser selected for policy fellowship], ''Middletown Press'' (April 10, 2015).</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Lesser lives on Middletown's North End with his wife Sarah and his dog Lucy. He attended [[Wesleyan University]] in Middletown before being elected for public office. He previously served on Middletown's Planning and Zoning Commission.<ref name="ct.gov"/>
Lesser lives in Middletown's North End with his wife Sarah and their two children.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Matthew Lesser |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Matthew_Lesser |access-date=2024-08-23 |website=Ballotpedia |language=en}}</ref>


Lesser was diagnosed with [[testicular cancer]] in 2012, and survived.<ref name=CSC-SCT>[https://www.middletownpress.com/business/article/Rep-Lesser-new-head-of-cancer-support-network-11781832.php Rep. Lesser new head of cancer support network], ''Middletown Press'' (May 20, 2014).</ref>
==Political positions==
Lesser has stated that he plans to shift the burden of education from the taxpayers to the state, as the state legislature had already agreed to pay for 50% of the costs of education. However, this is a contested claim since the supposed state "promise" of 50% funding comes from a 1979 report of the [[Connecticut State Board of Education]] (SBE) and the Connecticut School Finance Advisory Panel called ''A Plan for Promoting Equal Educational Opportunity in Connecticut'' and is viewed as outdated and misinterpreted by opponents.<ref>{{cite news | first=D'Ann | last=Mazzocca | coauthors= | title= Connecticut General Assembly: Office of Legislative Research | date=1998-02-26 | publisher= | url =http://www.cga.ct.gov/ps98/rpt/olr/98-r-0293.doc | work = | pages = | accessdate = 2008-06-15 | language = }}</ref>


== Electoral history ==
In order to lower the cost of education further, Lesser has supported a controversial "pooling" bill that would have allowed municipalities, small businesses and [[nonprofit organizations]] to join the state's health insurance plan until it was vetoed by Governor [[M. Jodi Rell]] on June 13.<ref>{{cite news | first=Christopher | last=Keating | coauthors= | title=Rell Vetoes Health Care Bill | date=2008-06-13 | publisher=[[The Hartford Courant]] | url =http://www.courant.com/news/custom/topnews/hcu-rellpoolingbill-0613,0,3543902.story | work = | pages = | accessdate = 2008-06-15 | language = }}</ref> Lesser has also called for switching schools over to renewable alternative sources of energy and for funding of the [[PILOT (finance)|PILOT]] and ECS programs to lower education costs further still.

=== 2008 ===

{{Election box begin no change|title=2008 Connecticut 100th House District Election<ref name=2008Elect>[https://electionhistory.ct.gov/eng/contests/view/6751/ 2008 Nov 4 :: General Election :: State Representative :: District 100], Connecticut Office of the Secretary of the State.</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Matt Lesser
| party = Democratic Party (US)
| votes = 5,704
| percentage = 47.6
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate =Matt Lesser
| party = Working Families Party
| votes = 482
| percentage = 4
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Ed Charamut
| party = Republican Party (US)
| votes = 5,787
| percentage = 48.3
}}
{{Election box end}}

=== 2010 ===
{{Election box begin no change|title=2010 Connecticut 100th House District Election<ref name=2010Elect>[https://electionhistory.ct.gov/eng/contests/view/6351/ 2010 Nov 2 :: General Election :: State Representative :: District 100], Connecticut Office of the Secretary of the State.</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Matt Lesser
| party = Democratic Party (US)
| votes = 4,756
| percentage = 48.3
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate =Matt Lesser
| party = Working Families Party
| votes = 296
| percentage = 3
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = John Swewczyk
| party = Republican Party (US)
| votes = 4,433
| percentage = 45.1
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = John Swewczyk
| party = Libertarian Party (US)
| votes = 245
| percentage = 2.5
}}
{{Election box candidate no change
| candidate = John Swewczyk
| party = [[Connecticut for Lieberman]]
| votes = 109
| percentage = 1.1
}}
{{Election box end}}

=== 2012 ===
{{Election box begin no change|title=2012 Connecticut 100th House District Election<ref name=2012Elect>[https://electionhistory.ct.gov/eng/contests/view/5622/ 2012 Nov 6 :: General Election :: State Representative :: District 100], Connecticut Office of the Secretary of the State.</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Matthew Lesser
| party = Democratic Party (US)
| votes = 6,342
| percentage = 65.2
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate =Matthew Lesser
| party = Working Families Party
| votes = 335
| percentage = 3.4
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Deborah Kleckowksi
| party = Republican Party (US)
| votes = 2,782
| percentage = 28.6
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Deborah Kleckowksi
| party = Independent Party of Connecticut
| votes = 275
| percentage = 2.8
}}
{{Election box end}}

=== 2014 ===
{{Election box begin no change|title=2014 Connecticut 100th House District Election<ref name=2014Elect>[https://electionhistory.ct.gov/eng/contests/view/5884/ 2014 Nov 4 :: General Election :: State Representative :: District 100], Connecticut Office of the Secretary of the State.</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Matt Lesser
| party = Democratic Party (US)
| votes = 4,558
| percentage = 63
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate =Matt Lesser
| party = Working Families Party
| votes = 537
| percentage = 7.4
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Angel R. Fernandez
| party = Republican Party (US)
| votes = 2,138
| percentage = 29.6
}}
{{Election box end}}

=== 2016 ===
{{Election box begin no change|title=2016 Connecticut 100th House District Election<ref name=2016Elect>[https://electionhistory.ct.gov/eng/contests/view/4841 2016 Nov 8 :: General Election :: State Representative :: District 100], Connecticut Office of the Secretary of the State.</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Matt Lesser
| party = Democratic Party (US)
| votes = 6,417
| percentage = 62.6
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate =Matt Lesser
| party = Working Families Party
| votes = 696
| percentage = 6.8
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate =Anthony R.J. Moran
| party = Republican Party (US)
| votes = 3,136
| percentage = 30.6
}}
{{Election box end}}

=== 2018 ===

{{Election box begin no change|title=2008 Connecticut 9th Senate District Election Democratic Primary<ref name=2018Primary>[https://electionhistory.ct.gov/eng/contests/view/4178 2018 Aug 14 :: Democratic Primary :: State Senator :: District 9], Connecticut Office of the Secretary of the State.</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Matt Lesser
| party = Democratic Party (US)
| votes = 4,779
| percentage = 56.4%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Antonio "Tony" Guerrera
| party = Democratic Party (US)
| votes = 3,699
| percentage = 43.6%
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=2018 Connecticut 9th Senate District Election<ref name=2018Elect>[https://electionhistory.ct.gov/eng/contests/view/3899 2018 Nov 6 :: General Election :: State Senator :: District 9], Connecticut Office of the Secretary of the State.</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Matt Lesser
| party = Democratic Party (US)
| votes = 22,724
| percentage = 54.22
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate =Matt Lesser
| party = Working Families Party
| votes = 1,519
| percentage = 3.62
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Ed Charamut
| party = Republican Party (US)
| votes = 17,674
| percentage = 42.15
}}
{{Election box end}}

=== 2020 ===
{{Election box begin no change|title=2020 Connecticut 9th Senate District Election<ref name=2020Elect>[https://electionhistory.ct.gov/eng/contests/view/15267 2020 Nov 3 :: General Election :: State Senator :: District 9], Connecticut Office of the Secretary of the State.</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Matt Lesser
| party = Democratic Party (US)
| votes = 29,473
| percentage = 54.85
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate =Matt Lesser
| party = Working Families Party
| votes = 1,509
| percentage = 2.87%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Richie Ruglio
| party = Republican Party (US)
| votes = 21,609
| percentage = 40.22
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Richie Ruglio
| party = Independent Party of Connecticut
| votes = 1,139
| percentage = 2.12
}}
{{Election box end}}

=== 2022 ===
{{Election box begin no change|title=2022 Connecticut 9th Senate District Election<ref name=2022Elect>[https://electionhistory.ct.gov/eng/contests/view/34806 2022 Nov 8 :: General Election :: State Senator :: District 9], Connecticut Office of the Secretary of the State.</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Matt Lesser
| party = Democratic Party (US)
| votes = 19,593
| percentage = 52.94
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate =Matt Lesser
| party = Working Families Party
| votes = 632
| percentage = 1.71
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate =Matt Lesser
| party = Independent Party of Connecticut
| votes = 346
| percentage = 0.93
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Lisa J. Marotta
| party = Republican Party (US)
| votes = 16,440
| percentage = 44.42
}}
{{Election box end}}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


{{Connecticut State Senators}}
==External links==
*[http://mattlesser.com/index.html Lesser's Official Website]


{{DEFAULTSORT:Lesser, Matt}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lesser, Matt}}
[[Category:Connecticut Democrats]]
[[Category:1983 births]]
[[Category:21st-century American Jews]]
[[Category:Members of the Connecticut House of Representatives]]
[[Category:Wesleyan University alumni]]
[[Category:Democratic Party Connecticut state senators]]
[[Category:Jewish American state legislators in Connecticut]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Democratic Party members of the Connecticut House of Representatives]]
[[Category:21st-century American politicians]]
[[Category:Politicians from Middletown, Connecticut]]
[[Category:Politicians from Middletown, Connecticut]]
[[Category:Wesleyan University alumni]]
[[Category:21st-century members of the Connecticut General Assembly]]

Latest revision as of 17:50, 11 December 2024

Matt Lesser
Member of the Connecticut 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
January 7, 2009 – January 9, 2019
Preceded byRaymond Kalinowski
Succeeded byQuentin Williams
Personal details
Born (1983-04-29) April 29, 1983 (age 41)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Children2
ResidenceMiddletown
EducationWesleyan University

Matthew L. Lesser (born 28 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

[edit]

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

[edit]

Early years

[edit]

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

[edit]

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 Tom Gaffey and Middletown DTC Chairman Dan Russo.[9] Lesser defeated three-term Republican incumbent Ray 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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

2008

[edit]
2008 Connecticut 100th House District Election[54]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Matt Lesser 5,704 47.6
Working Families Matt Lesser 482 4
Republican Ed Charamut 5,787 48.3

2010

[edit]
2010 Connecticut 100th House District Election[55]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Matt Lesser 4,756 48.3
Working Families Matt Lesser 296 3
Republican John Swewczyk 4,433 45.1
Libertarian John Swewczyk 245 2.5
Connecticut for Lieberman John Swewczyk 109 1.1

2012

[edit]
2012 Connecticut 100th House District Election[56]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Matthew Lesser 6,342 65.2
Working Families Matthew Lesser 335 3.4
Republican Deborah Kleckowksi 2,782 28.6
Independent Party Deborah Kleckowksi 275 2.8

2014

[edit]
2014 Connecticut 100th House District Election[57]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Matt Lesser 4,558 63
Working Families Matt Lesser 537 7.4
Republican Angel R. Fernandez 2,138 29.6

2016

[edit]
2016 Connecticut 100th House District Election[58]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Matt Lesser 6,417 62.6
Working Families Matt Lesser 696 6.8
Republican Anthony R.J. Moran 3,136 30.6

2018

[edit]
2008 Connecticut 9th Senate District Election Democratic Primary[59]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Matt Lesser 4,779 56.4%
Democratic Antonio "Tony" Guerrera 3,699 43.6%
2018 Connecticut 9th Senate District Election[60]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Matt Lesser 22,724 54.22
Working Families Matt Lesser 1,519 3.62
Republican Ed Charamut 17,674 42.15

2020

[edit]
2020 Connecticut 9th Senate District Election[28]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Matt Lesser 29,473 54.85
Working Families Matt Lesser 1,509 2.87%
Republican Richie Ruglio 21,609 40.22
Independent Party Richie Ruglio 1,139 2.12

2022

[edit]
2022 Connecticut 9th Senate District Election[29]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Matt Lesser 19,593 52.94
Working Families Matt Lesser 632 1.71
Independent Party Matt Lesser 346 0.93
Republican Lisa J. Marotta 16,440 44.42

References

[edit]
  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. ^ "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. ^ "Convention Updates". 2008-05-21. Retrieved 2008-06-15.
  7. ^ "Matt Lesser: '10 State Representative". Wesleyan University. Archived from the original on 2011-01-05. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  8. ^ "Susan Bysiewicz at 100th House District Convention". YouTube. 2008-05-21. Retrieved 2008-06-15.[dead YouTube link]
  9. ^ "Matt Lesser Nominated in 100th District". Retrieved 2008-06-15.
  10. ^ "Candidate Cites His Experience". The Baltimore Sun. 2008-06-10. Retrieved 2008-06-19.
  11. ^ "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. ^ "Legislative Guide" (PDF). Connecticut General Assembly. 2013–2014.
  13. ^ a b c "Biography". 17 December 2015. Archived from the original on 2018-01-27.
  14. ^ Jillian Berman (January 10, 2016). "Inside one state's effort to tackle the student debt crisis". MarketWatch.
  15. ^ Morgan Crabtree (July 14, 2015). "Connecticut is the first state to implement Student Loan Bill of Rights". WTNH.
  16. ^ 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. ^ "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. ^ "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. ^ Beals, Shawn R. (August 14, 2018). "Matt Lesser Wins Democratic 9th Senate Primary". Hartford Courant.
  24. ^ Foderaro, Lisa W. (October 30, 2018). "Political Mailer Prompts Charges of Anti-Semitism". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331.
  25. ^ 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 Beals, Shawn R. (November 6, 2018). "Lesser Wins 9th Senate District In Race That Gained National Attention For Anti-Semitism Charges". Hartford Courant.
  27. ^ 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. ^ Carlesso, Jenna (July 8, 2019). "Mental health parity bill signed into law". CT Mirror.
  31. ^ "New CT law makes epinephrine devices, EpiPens available in public venues". Middletown Press. July 7, 2019.
  32. ^ "Co-Pays for Insulin and Diabetes Medications Capped at $25 in Connecticut" (Press release). American Diabetes Association. August 6, 2020.
  33. ^ "Connecticut lawmakers celebrate health care public option bill". The Middletown Press. May 3, 2019.
  34. ^ "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. ^ "Senator Lesser Leads Passage of Telehealth and Insulin Bills".
  38. ^ McQuaid, Hugh (May 30, 2023). "Senate Masking Requirements Return Amid New COVID Cases". CT News Junkie.
  39. ^ Dixon, Ken (May 30, 2023). "COVID infections in state Senate prompt CT lawmakers to make changes". CTInsider.
  40. ^ y Mark Pazniokas (May 31, 2023). "Senate Democrats vote to bring early voting to Connecticut in 2024". CTMirror – via WSHU.
  41. ^ Putterman, Alex (May 10, 2022). "Matt Lesser drops out of CT secretary of the state race after missing Democratic endorsement". CTInsider.
  42. ^ Otte, Emilia (May 13, 2023). "Capital Prep Wins Approval, But Matt Lesser Says Charter School Still has 'Work to Do'". CT Examiner.
  43. ^ 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. ^ 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. ^ Harkay, Jessika (June 9, 2023). "Two of four proposed CT charter schools left out of state budget". Hartford Courant.
  46. ^ a b c Phillips, Erica E. (March 17, 2023). "Sen. Matt Lesser filibusters bill for trade groups to offer health plans". CT Mirror.
  47. ^ 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. ^ "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.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Matt_Lesser&oldid=1262485914"