M. Jodi Rell, Former Governor of Connecticut, Passes Away at Age 78

Former Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell, who became the second female governor in state history after her predecessor resigned amid a corruption scandal, has passed away at the age of 78.

Rell passed away on Wednesday at a Florida hospital following a brief illness, as confirmed by her family on Thursday morning.

A Republican born in Virginia and later relocating to Brookfield, Connecticut, in 1969, Rell held office from 2004 to 2011. Known for her honesty and compassion—she would personally reach out to individuals during challenging or joyous times—Rell was initially lieutenant governor and assumed the role of governor during a tumultuous period for the state. Governor John G. Rowland was under federal investigation and was facing impeachment.

Eventually, Rowland pleaded guilty to a federal corruption charge and served a 10-month prison sentence.

In a 2010 interview with The Associated Press as she was preparing to leave office, Rell highlighted her efforts to “restore honor to the state of Connecticut” as one of her significant achievements.

“Our state had experienced so much turmoil. What we needed at that time was to move forward, to once again instill pride in our state government among our residents,” Rell stated, emphasizing how her administration worked on revamping the state’s campaign finance laws, setting standards for state contracts, and overhauling the state’s ethics commission.

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Rell received tributes on Thursday from members of both major political parties, including her successor, Democrat Dannel P. Malloy, who stated, “She stabilized the situation and brought back a sense of integrity and honesty to state governance in a time where it was greatly needed.”

Connecticut Republican Party Chairman Ben Proto, who collaborated with Rell on bill assessments when she was a state representative and he was a young attorney in the House Republican caucus, mentioned that Rell assumed the role of governor “almost reluctantly and during a period of tremendous turmoil,” but managed to bring “a sense of serenity and direction” to the state Capitol and the state as a whole.

On Thursday, Democratic Governor Ned Lamont instructed flags to be flown at half-mast in her memory.

Rell served as lieutenant governor for a decade and as a member of the state House for another ten years, representing Brookfield and Bethel. Following Rowland’s tenure, Rell won the 2006 election with a significant victory margin. To date, she remains the state’s last Republican governor.

Just five months after assuming office, Rell underwent a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery upon discovering breast cancer during a routine mammogram. Shortly after her surgery, she returned to the Capitol to deliver her inaugural State of the State address amidst cheers and a standing ovation. Many lawmakers wore pink ribbons in support of breast cancer research.

In her speech, Rell made a poignant reference to her battle with cancer, calling for an end to partisan politics.

“I have unexpectedly faced the reality of my mortality upon being diagnosed with cancer,” she shared. “I now view things with a different perspective, with newfound focus on what truly matters, what is genuinely essential.”