State Rep. William Tong is considering running for Attorney General and he made the announcement a day after Attorney General George Jepsen said he will not seek re-election next year.
Tong, who serves as co-chairman of the Judiciary Committee, filed papers Tuesday with the State Elections Enforcement Commission to form an exploratory committee for statewide office with a focus on Attorney General, according to a statement.
Tong is in his sixth term and has practiced law for the last 14 years as a litigator in state and federal courts in Connecticut.
His biography says he is a graduate of the University of Chicago Law School where he was taught by then-professor Barack Obama.
Following is Tong’s full statement:
“Today, I will be forming an exploratory committee for statewide office, with a focus on Attorney General, because Connecticut needs an Attorney General who will stand up for all of us. As I explore running for this office, I will listen to the people of Connecticut and hear what they want in their chief legal advocate. Like Attorney General Jepsen before me, I serve as Co Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, where I personally stood up to the NRA by fighting to pass laws to stop gun trafficking and protect victims of domestic abuse from gun violence; stood up to an unjust system of mass incarceration by fighting to pass the Second Chance Society law, the Excessive Use of Force law, and the law reforming a broken bail system; and stood up for civil rights and basic liberties by fighting for marriage equality, transgender rights, and the rights of immigrants unfairly targeted by federal authorities. And in the midst of the mortgage crisis, I stood up to Wall Street by fighting to overhaul our state's foreclosure laws and to help thousands of people stay in their homes.
"I took on these fights because I know what it’s like to face enormous odds. My parents came to this country with almost nothing and struggled everyday for my sisters and me. They were able to succeed in a system where if you worked hard and played by the rules, you could achieve the American Dream. Under Donald Trump, we have an administration that attacks families like mine instead of helping us make that American Dream a reality. We need an Attorney General who will continue the legacies of George Jepsen and Dick Blumenthal, standing up to powerful special interests and fighting for those who need an advocate. To serve as Attorney General of Connecticut, and to make history as the first Asian American constitutional officer in state history, would be the highest honor of my professional life and part of my lifelong fight to stand up for all of us.”
