Governor Jodi Rell Name Kevin Sullivan Succeeded by Michael Fedele Political party Democratic Party Democratic Party | Preceded by M. Adela Eads Spouse Carolyn Thornberry Preceded by Jodi Rell Role Politician | |
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Profession Non-profit executive & attorney Education Hartford Seminary, Trinity College | ||
Kevin B. Sullivan (born August 20, 1949) is a Democrat, was Connecticut's 86th Lieutenant Governor, from 2004 to 2007. He was elected to the Connecticut State Senate in 1986 and served as Senate President Pro Tempore from 1997 to 2004.
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Early life
Kevin Sullivan is a lifelong resident of West Hartford, Connecticut and attended public schools there, graduating from Conard High School in 1967. He was the first in his family to have the opportunity to go to college and, in 1971, graduated from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. In 1982, he graduated from the University of Connecticut School of Law. He has managed a statewide advocacy organization, been a political campaign consultant, administered the State Legislature's Education Committee, served as a legislative assistant to the state Commissioner of Education, and practiced administrative, public utility and banking law in private and corporate practice.
Mayor
Prior to his election to the State Senate, he was mayor of West Hartford, Connecticut, serving on the Town Council for five years. As Mayor, he presided over a major reorganization of town government, the first tax cut in the town's recent history and a major Town Hall renovation project that was the first step in a now very successful effort to renew the town center.
State Senator
Sullivan was elected to the State Senate in 1986. He chaired the Education Committee where he successfully led efforts to enact school finance reform, statewide student performance assessment, student community service, charter schools, higher education reorganization and increased student financial aid. He served on the Education Commission of the States and New England Board of Higher Education. After organizing the campaign to win back the State Senate, he became its top leader as President Pro Tempore in 1997. He served as President of the State Senate Presidents Forum and on the board of the State Legislative Leaders Foundation.
Lieutenant Governor
Upon Governor John G. Rowland's resignation and imprisonment, Lieutenant Governor M. Jodi Rell became governor. Sullivan, as the Senate president pro tempore, succeeded to the office of lieutenant governor in 2004. As lieutenant governor, Sullivan advocated for mental health care, veterans and public safety. Although offered the opportunity, Sullivan chose not to be a candidate for statewide office in 2006.
Later
After leaving office as lieutenant governor, Sullivan consulted, developed a training program called "Why Bad Government Happens to Good People," taught media and a public policy at Quinnipiac University and then became President and CEO of The Children's Museum.
Appointed by Governor Dannel Malloy in 2011, Sullivan is Commissioner of the Department of Revenue Services. He oversees ongoing strategic initiatives to make the agency more efficient, increase collections, better focus on taxpayer services and advocate for more effective tax policy linked to overall state finances and economic growth. He serves on the national board of the Federation of Tax Administrators.
Sullivan is married to Dr. Carolyn Thornberry, a former West Hartford town councilor and Democratic registrar of voters.