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Mary Jodi RellAmerican politician, 72nd Governor of Connecticut
Date of Birth: 16.06.1946
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Political Career
- Lieutenant Governor (1995-2004)
- Governor of Connecticut (2004-2011)
- Notable Actions and Decisions
- Presidential Ambitions and Retirement
Early Life and Education
Mary Jodi Rell was born Mary Carolyn Reeves in Norfolk, Virginia on June 16, 1946. She pursued higher education at Old Dominion University but left in 1967 upon marrying U.S. Navy pilot Lou Rell. In 1969, Mary relocated to Brookfield, Connecticut, and later enrolled at Western Connecticut State University. However, she did not complete her studies there.
Despite not graduating, Rell received honorary Juris Doctor degrees from the University of Hartford in 2001 and the University of New Haven in 2004.
Political Career
Early Offices (1985-1994)State Representative:Rell served as the State Representative for Brookfield's 107th District from 1985 to 1995.
Lieutenant Governor (1995-2004)
Election and Re-elections:Following the 1994 election, Rell was elected Lieutenant Governor. She successfully won re-election in 1998 and 2002.
Governor of Connecticut (2004-2011)
Appointment and First Election:Rell became Governor when John Rowland resigned in 2004. She began her first term on November 7, 2004. In the 2006 gubernatorial election, Rell garnered a record-setting 710,000 votes and defeated Democratic challenger John DeStefano Jr.
Notable Actions and Decisions
Civil Unions:On April 20, 2005, Rell signed a bill making Connecticut the first state to legalize civil unions for same-sex couples.
Death Penalty:Under Rell's administration, Connecticut carried out its first execution since 1960. Serial killer Michael Bruce Ross was executed in 2005.
Cheshire Murders and Parole Reform:After two paroled inmates were charged with murdering a family in Cheshire, Rell called for a review of parole policies. She initiated debates on increasing penalties for violent crimes.
Presidential Ambitions and Retirement
Rell was once considered a potential vice-presidential candidate for the 2008 presidential election. However, John McCain ultimately selected Sarah Palin as his running mate. Rell announced in 2009 that she would not seek re-election in 2010.
