President Barack Obama nominated a New York federal prosecutor to replace Eric Holder as United States Attorney General and Connecticut's governor voiced support for his pick.
If the U.S. Senate confirms Loretta Lynch, U.S. attorney for New York's Eastern District, she will become the first black woman to head the country's Justice Department.
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, who was re-elected last week to a second term in a close race with Tom Foley, said that Connecticut has worked closely with the Justice Department to lower crime in the state and praised the president's selection.
“Loretta Lynch is a very well-respected prosecutor not only in the State of New York, but throughout the country, and I congratulate her on her nomination to become our nation’s top law enforcement official," Malloy said in a statement. "Over the last couple of years in Connecticut, my administration, in cooperation with our state’s law enforcement community, has worked closely with the U.S. Justice Department in our efforts to reduce violent crime – particularly when it comes to gun-related crimes within our urban areas."
He said that Connecticut has seen lower crime rates as a result, but stressed there is more work to be done.
"And our efforts have been working, showing a reduction in violent crime that has been more than double the national average over the last year," Malloy said. "But we cannot stop there. I am confident that U.S. Attorney Lynch has the expertise to lead the Justice Department, and I look forward to working as a partner with her to continue these efforts in our state.”
