HARTFORD, Conn. — Connecticut leaders shared their reactions Wednesday to the passing of U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman, who died at 82 years old, according to his family.
A statement from his family said that Lieberman died in New York due to complications from a fall.
Gov. Ned Lamont sent his condolences to the Lieberman family and commented that despite his political differences, the senator "was a man of integrity and conviction."
"Our debate about the Iraq War was serious. I believe we agreed to disagree from a position of principal. When the race was over, we stayed in touch as friends in the best traditions of American democracy. He will missed."
Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz noted the loss of a "Connecticut political icon," and how he "shaped policies that bettered the lives of residents in our state and across the nation."
"I greatly admired his dedication, and it was in his book, "The Power Broker", which inspired me to write my own biography of Gov. Ella Grasso. Joe was there to impact critical policies during some of the most pivotal moments in our recent history, whether casting the deciding vote to pass the Affordable Care Act, landmark legislation that has provided more than 21 million Americans access to quality, affordable health care, or introducing the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Act of 2010," Bysiewicz said.
Bysiewicz continued, "In a post 9/11 era, Joe led legislation that led to the creation of the Department of Homeland Security – an effort that is still keeping us safe today. My heart goes out to Joe’s family and all who loved him. He will be greatly missed.”
Vice President Kamala Harris said in a statement:
Senator Joe Lieberman dedicated his life to public service and building a stronger America.
Throughout his career—as a member of the Connecticut State Senate, as Attorney General of Connecticut, and as United States Senator from Connecticut—he worked across the aisle on behalf of the American people.
Senator Lieberman was one of the first lawmakers to raise the alarm about the urgency of the climate crisis. He played a vital role in repealing “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell,” making it possible for LGBTQ+ Americans to serve openly in our armed forces. He traveled the world to stand up for American interests and values and believed deeply in the importance of America’s global leadership. And he broke barriers in his bid for the Vice Presidency as the first Jewish candidate on a major party presidential ticket, showing countless Americans what was possible.
In all that he did, Senator Lieberman was driven by a fierce belief in America—in our values, our people, and our future. Doug and I send our prayers to his wife, Hadassah, and the entire Lieberman family.
Former President Barack Obama said on X, formerly Twitter, that he "didn't always see eye-to-eye" with Lieberman, but noted his "extraordinary career in public service, including four decades spent fighting for the people of Connecticut."
"He also worked hard to repeal 'Don't Ask Don't Tell', and helped us pass the Affordable Care Act. In both cases the politics were difficult, but he stuck to his principles because he knew it was the right thing to do. Michelle and I extend our deepest condolences to Hadassah and the Lieberman family," Obama said.
Attorney Gen. William Tong said that Lieberman encouraged him in his choice to enter public service.
“No one meant more to me in my choice to pursue public service than Joe Lieberman. And no one encouraged me more than he did. I first met him when he was Attorney General, and I was a 15-year-old campaign volunteer for his 1998 U.S. Senate race. He was principled and tough, but also incredibly warm and kind, and deeply dedicated to Connecticut and his hometown of Stamford," Tong said. "He has been a mentor and an inspiration throughout my career. I will never forget the moment, on the day I took office as Attorney General, that he called to tell me how proud he was. I would not be Attorney General today if not for his support and the many kindnesses he showed me over the years."
Tong continued, "It is a profound honor to walk by his portrait every time I step into my office. This is a heartbreaking shock, and a loss to us all. I send peace and love to Hadassah and all of his kids, Matthew, Becca, Hani and Ethan.”
U.S. Senator Chris Murphy said he was "shocked" by the passing and that Lieberman stood out in an "era of political carbon copies."
“Connecticut is shocked by Senator Lieberman’s sudden passing. In an era of political carbon copies, Joe Lieberman was a singularity. He fit into no political box. He defied party orthodoxy. He simply did what he believed to be right for the country and what was right for the state he adored. His work to combat climate change, repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, create the Department of Homeland Security, and protect abortion access propelled our nation forward. He sometimes frustrated members of both parties, but that was mostly because he refused to be defined by partisanship. I learned a lot from Joe Lieberman, and I’m honored to succeed him in the Senate. My thoughts are with Hadassah and his entire family.”
U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal commented that he was a friend of Lieberman's for over "50 years," and that he defined an "era of history" on "world and national stages."
"He was a fierce advocate, a man of deep conscience and conviction, and a courageous leader who sought to bridge gaps and bring people together. He was dedicated to family and faith, and he was a role model of public service," Blumenthal said. "He never ceased listening to both friends and adversaries. He leaves an enduring legacy as a fighter for consumers, environmental values, civil rights, and other great causes of our time and he was tireless in working for Connecticut no matter how far or high he went. Cynthia and I are with his family in heart and prayer at this difficult time.”
U.S. Rep. John Larson (D-1st Dist.) said in a statement that "America has lost a great champion."
“I have known Joe Lieberman all of my political life, from his time as Majority Leader in the Connecticut State Senate, through his tenure as Attorney General, and on to the United State Senate, where he and Chris Dodd were a dynamic force for the State of Connecticut," Lieberman said. "While we may have had political differences, I have always had the utmost of respect for Sen. Lieberman, someone who cared deeply about his state and this great nation we live in. My heart and prayers go out to Hadassah and the entire Lieberman family. This is a tragic loss for the United States of America.”
U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney (D-2nd Dist.) said that the passing is a moment of history for Connecticut, and that Lieberman's life in public service "left indelible marks on our state."
"In eastern Connecticut, his brilliant 2005 summation speech before the Pentagon’s Base Realignment and Closure Commission in Boston, Mass. was a critical turning point in the successful effort to save Naval Submarine Base New London from closure," Courtney said. "As a strong subbase supporter in the audience, I will never forget the power of his words that day, which clearly reinforced the need for the Commission members to vote to keep the base open. May he rest in peace.”
U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-3rd Dist.) offered her "deepest condolences" to the Lieberman family and said, "Stan and I are heartbroken at the loss of our dear friend and my former colleague, Joe Lieberman. I was blessed to both count Joe as a friend and have the opportunity to serve with him in the Congress for over 20 years. It was a pleasure and honor to do so. Joe leaves an incredible legacy of public service, and he will be deeply missed."
Recapping her history with Lieberman, DeLauro said, "Together, we worked to pass legislation to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, to provide support to educators and public education, and to bring federal funding home to Connecticut to fund local projects like the Brownfield cleanup in Waterbury, public transit, and more. He was a champion for consumers, and he also understood the importance of preserving a future for our children by battling climate change and fighting to protect the environment. Stan was proud to work on his first campaign for the U.S. senate and his campaign with Al Gore that that won the popular vote. And Connecticut was never prouder than to see Joe run for Vice President."
U.S. Rep. Jim Himes (D-4th Dist.) included in a statement, "I am saddened to hear of the passing of Senator Joe Lieberman— a tireless fighter for the state of Connecticut and a champion of environmental policy. While we did not always agree, I have endless respect for the way in which he forged his own path through public service, engaging across the aisle and breaking barriers as the first Jewish vice-presidential nominee for a major party. Mary and I extend our deepest condolences to his wife, Hadassah, and their entire family in this difficult moment.”
U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-5th Dist.) said in a post on X, "I am saddened to learn about the passing of former U.S. Senator from Connecticut, Joe Lieberman, a dedicated public servant and fierce advocate for our state, the country, and the issues he cared so deeply about. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time."
Sen. Republican Leader Stephen Harding and Sen. Ryan Fazio, representing Stamford, commented in a statement:
“Fiercely independent. Widely respected. Committed to bipartisan solutions. Unflappable. Sen. Lieberman devoted his life to serving Connecticut and our country. That service was delivered with integrity, and it has positively impacted the lives of countless citizens. We are grateful for Sen. Lieberman’s dedication to improving the quality of life in our state and country. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora offered thoughts and prayers with "Hadassah and the Lieberman family," and said that the senator "embodied the spirit of bipartisanship in politics."
"Willing to see the best in his political opposites, he saw them as colleagues who could help forge the best outcomes for Connecticut, rather than enemies to be dismissed because they simply disagreed with him on an issue," Candelora said. "And Joe Lieberman was a force on the national political scene for decades, drawing people from all walks of life into his sphere, giving Connecticut a more robust voice on the national stage."
Candelora continued, "Going back to 1970 when, during his run for state Senate in Connecticut as a Reform Democrat, he engaged a young Yale student named Bill Clinton to work on his campaign. The rest, with Joe Lieberman’s legacy as a state Attorney General, four-term U.S. Senator, vice presidential candidate and statesmen, as they say, is history."
Nancy DiNardo, chairwoman of the Connecticut Democrat Party, said in a statement on X:
"I am deeply saddened to learn of Joe Lieberman's passing today. He was a groundbreaking politician who rose through the ranks of the Democratic Party to become a U.S. Senator and our nominee for Vice President," said DiNardo. "Joe was deeply committed to serving the people of Connecticut and our nation. He respected contrarian views and was unafraid to share his own. I join all those in Connecticut and around the nation in expressing my deepest condolences to Hadassah and the Lieberman family."
A statement from the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford said, "Sen. Joe Lieberman was a true trailblazer and represented the hopes, aspirations, and ideals of the Jewish community in the United States. As the first member of the Jewish community to run on a major party presidential ticket, he broke barriers and showed us what was possible, and always did so while holding strong to his values and moral outlook. The Jewish Federation and the entire Jewish community mourn his passing, and our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time."
Stratford Mayor Laura Hoydick shared her "condolences and prayers" to Lieberman's family and friends, releasing a statement that said:
“Senator Lieberman encompassed the true definition of a statesman; believing in service to the American people over any political affiliation or ideology. He put his love for family, country, and faith above all else. I am grateful for Senator Lieberman and his accomplishments, and have a deep respect for his lifelong, unwavering dedication to those he served for the state of Connecticut and the United States. Senator Lieberman’s life is an inspiration for all of us committed to being champions for the people we represent. A good, decent, and intelligent man, may his memory be a blessing, especially to his family, friends, and all those he unceasingly served and represented.”
Al Gore, former vice president of the United States, said in a statement on X, "I am profoundly saddened by the loss of Joe Lieberman. First and foremost, he was a man of devout faith and dedication to his family. My heart goes out to Hadassah, Hana, Matt, Rebecca, Ethan, his sisters, and all those grieving his loss. Joe was a man of deep integrity who dedicated his life to serving his country. He was a truly gifted leader, whose affable personality and strong will made him a force to be reckoned with."
Gore continued, "That’s why it came as no surprise to any of us who knew him when he’d start singing his favorite song: Frank Sinatra’s “My Way”. And doing things Joe’s way meant always putting his country and the values of equality and fairness first. His fierce dedication to these values was clear even as a young man. When he was about to travel to the South to join the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, he wrote: 'I am going because there is much work to be done. I am an American. And this is one nation, or it is nothing.' Those are the words of a champion of civil rights and a true patriot, which is why I shared that quote when I announced Joe as my running mate. It was an honor to stand side-by-side with him on the campaign trail. I’ll remain forever grateful for his tireless efforts to build a better future for America."
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