Politics & Government

State Rep. William Tong Running for Lieberman's Seat

Announces Candidacy; Joins Two Others Seeking Democratic Nomination

, D-147, announced Sunday that he will run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by the. Tong represents parts of New Canaan and Stamford.

Tong, 38, is the third candidate to throw his hat in the ring for the Democratic nomination to succeed Lieberman. Former Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz and U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy have also announced their candidacies.

Tong made his announcement on WFSB-TV’s “Face the State.”

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According to the Huffington Post, Tong said he wants to dispel the notion that the American dream is no longer alive, and said he believes Americans today have better opportunities than previous generations.

In November 2006, Tong became the first Asian-American elected at the state level in Connecticut’s history, as well as the first Asian-American to serve in the General Assembly.

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In December 2010, Tong was appointed to serve as . He also serves as a member of the Energy & Technology and Judiciary committees.

A native of Connecticut, Tong attended both public and private schools in West Hartford. He received degrees from Brown University and the University of Chicago Law School.

Tong and Lieberman, who was first elected in 1988, are both from Stamford.


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