New Members 2010 - Connecticut

SEN.-ELECT RICHARD BLUMENTHAL (D-CONN.)

Date of birth: Feb. 13, 1946
Birthplace: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Residence: Greenwich, Conn.
Occupation: State attorney general
Education: Harvard University, J.D. at Yale Law School
Previous office held: Connecticut attorney general
Family: Wife, Cynthia, four children

Richard Blumenthal entered the race to succeed retiring Sen. Chris Dodd (D) as the favorite and overcame a serious stumble regarding his military service to defeat Republican Linda McMahon, the former executive for World Wrestling Entertainment. 

Elected as Connecticut attorney general in 1990, Blumenthal had won reelection to that office four times and had developed a reputation as a consumer advocate and antagonist of tobacco and insurance companies. Blumenthal fought with the tobacco industry over deceptive marketing practices and won a multi-million dollar settlement.

He opposed utility rate increases, pressured the federal government to enforce environmental laws and won more than $6 million in settlements from mortgage lenders accused of deceptive practices.

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