HARTFORD, CT — Gov. Dannel P. Malloy was elected Monday at the Democratic Governors Association meeting in Louisiana to serve a second term as chairman of the organization.
A press release from the organization said that under Malloy’s leadership the group was able to win “the marquee governor’s race in North Carolina while protecting all three Democratic incumbents.”
Malloy was touted as a “Democratic policy leader” for raising the minimum wage, passing paid sick leave legislation, and signing historic criminal justice reforms.
“It is an honor and a privilege to be chosen by my fellow governors for another year as DGA Chair in 2017,” Malloy said. “As Democrats, there is nothing more important we can do as a party than to begin rebuilding at the state level. That’s why we must elect Democratic governors in 2017 and 2018.”
But Malloy isn’t exactly the most popular governor, even among Democrats in a blue state like Connecticut.
Malloy’s approval rating in Connecticut is around 24 percent and a federal grand jury is investigating the use of 2014 campaign funds. The Connecticut Democratic Party settled allegations from election regulators for $325,000 earlier this year.
“Malloy represents the worst of Democrat governors’ failed policies — job-killing tax increases, burdensome regulations, driving away business and a stubborn unwillingness to listen to the middle class,” RGA Communications Director Jon Thompson said Monday.
In addition to Malloy, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee was elected to serve as DGA vice chair and was named chair-elect. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo will serve as policy chair and Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe will chair the organization’s redistricting project, according to the press release.