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Ned Lamont on Civil Rights

Democratic Challenger

 


Warrantless wiretapping is acting like they're above the law

Q: Do you see Bush's wiretapping without warrant as a constitutional or legal move, or would you like to see Congress step in and slow down that effort of data collection?

A: The President is acting as if he is above the law. The American Bar Association and most legal scholars say that what he did on those wiretaps in all probability illegal. And I think that those who break the law should be held accountable. First and foremost, if the Democrats take control of Congress again, we'll have some long overdue hearings to debate just that.

That doesn't mean that we don't need a process by which we can tap phones, by which we can go into email and get access when there's really due cause and when there's judicial approval. I don't think the FISA courts inhibit our ability to do that. But the President had no right, and the Justice Department had no right, and the NSA had no right to just unilaterally say, "We're going to go ahead and do this despite the clear rulings of the FISA courts."

Source: MyDD Conversation with Ned Lamont, by Jonathan Singer , Jun 1, 2006

Limiting marriage blurs the line between church & state

I am a strong supporter of affirmative action and equal rights for all Americans. Increasingly the federal government is intruding into our private lives and blurring the bright line between church and state: attempts to limit marriage, stem cell research, teaching creationism in the science classroom, and the Terri Schiavo case come to mind. On questions of individual conscience, it is time for the government to get out of the way.
Source: 2006 Senate campaign website, nedlamont.com, "Issues" , May 20, 2006

I am a strong supporter of affirmative action

I am a strong supporter of affirmative action and equal rights for all Americans. Increasingly the federal government is intruding into our private lives and blurring the bright line between church and state: attempts to limit marriage, stem cell research, teaching creationism in the science classroom, and the Terri Schiavo case come to mind. On questions of individual conscience, it is time for the government to get out of the way.
Source: 2006 Senate campaign website, www.NedLamont.com , May 2, 2006

Hold Bush accountable for warrantless wiretaps

If the President is found to have broken the law by authorizing warrantless wiretaps, then I believe he should be held accountable, and censure is one way to hold him accountable. I do not understand some in Congress who supported censure of President Clinton for his personal indiscretions, but do not want to ‘scold' President Bush for abuse of power in issues central to the ideals of liberty and freedom for all citizens.
Source: 2006 Senate campaign website, www.NedLamont.com , May 2, 2006

On gay marriage: butt out and leave people alone

Q: Where are you on gay marriage?

A: There are some places where the government should butt out and leave people alone. And if two people are in love and want to get married, God bless ‘em. I'm not advocating anything, but the government should know when it's overstepped its bounds. All this stuff about a constitutional amendment outlawing the right of gay people to get married--that's wrong. It's wrongheaded. We don't need those kinds of restrictions. I'd just tell government to step back.

Source: The Truthdig Interview, by Blair Golson , Apr 25, 2006

Don't compromise Constitutional liberties in war on terror

America must not compromise basic Constitutional liberties during the war on terror. While increased surveillance and covert intelligence are necessary in defense of our country, we also have laws such as FISA, the Federal Intelligence Surveillance Act, to protect against political abuses of such wiretapping and government search and seizure.
Source: 2006 Senate campaign website, nedlamont.com, "issues" , Apr 23, 2006

Other governors on Civil Rights: Ned Lamont on other issues:
CT Gubernatorial:
Bob Stefanowski
CT Senatorial:
Chris Murphy
Dan Carter
Joe Visconti
John Flynn
Leora Levy
Matthew Corey
Richard Blumenthal
Robert Hyde
Themis Klarides
Gubernatorial races 2025:
New Jersey Governor:
    Democratic primary June 10, 2025:
  • Ras Baraka, Mayor of Newark (2014-present)
  • Steven Fulop, Mayor of Jersey City (2013-present)
  • Josh Gottheimer, U.S. Rep. NJ-5 (since 2017)
  • Mikie Sherrill, U.S. Rep. NJ-11 (since 2019); elected Nov. 4.
  • Stephen Sweeney, N.J.Senate President (2010-2022)

    Republican primary June 10, 2025:
  • Jon Bramnick, State Senator (since 2022); Minority Leader (2012-2022)
  • Jack Ciattarelli, State Assemblyman (2011-2018), governor nominee (2021 & 2025); lost general election
  • Edward Durr, State Senator 3rd district (2022-2024); withdrew

Virginia Governor:
    Democratic primary June 17 cancelled:
  • Abigail Spanberger, U.S.Rep., VA-7 (2019-2024); Dem. nominee 2025; elected Nov. 4.
  • Levar Stoney, VA Secretary of the Commonwealth (2014-2016); (withdrew to run for Lt. Gov.)

    Republican primary June 17 cancelled:
  • Winsome Earle-Sears, Lt. Gov. since 2022; GOP nominee 2025; lost general election
  • Amanda Chase, State Senate District 11 (2016-2023); failed to make ballot
  • Denver Riggleman, U.S.Rep. (R-VA-5); exploratory committee as Independent
  • Glenn Youngkin, Incumbent Governor , (2022-2025), term-limited
Mayoral races 2025:
NYC Mayor Democratic primary June 24, 2025:
  • Adrienne Adams, speaker of the City Council
  • Andrew Cuomo, former governor of New York, 2011-2021 (Independent candidate).
  • Zohran Mamdani, New York State Assembly, 2021-2025 (Democratic nominee); elected Nov. 4.
    Republican June 24 primary cancelled; general election Nov. 4:
  • Eric Adams, incumbent Democratic mayor running as an independent
  • Jim Walden, Independent; Former assistant U.S. Attorney
  • Curtis Sliwa, Republican nominee; CEO of the Guardian Angels

Jersey City Mayor (Non-partisan)
    Non-partisan general election Nov. 4; runoff Dec. 2:
  • Mussab Ali, former president of the Jersey City Board of Education
  • Steven Fulop, outgoing Mayor (2013-2025)
  • Bill O'Dea, Hudson County commissioner (since 1997)
  • Jim McGreevey, former N.J. Governor (2002-2004)
  • James Solomon, city councilor (since 2017)
  • Joyce Watterman, president of the Jersey City Council (since 2023)

Oakland CA Mayor
    Non-partisan special election April 14, 2025:
  • Barbara Lee, U.S.Rep CA-12 (1998-2025)
  • Loren Taylor, Oakland City Council (2019-2023), lost general election
  • Sheng Thao, Oakland Mayor, lost recall election Nov. 5, 2024
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