Robert Ward
3rd Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles
In office
2007–2011
DeputyWilliam Ramirez[1]
Minority Leader of the Connecticut House of Representatives
In office
1995–2007
Preceded byEdward C. Karwiecki
Succeeded byLawrence F. Cafero
Member of the Connecticut House of Representatives
from the 86th district
In office
1985–2007
Preceded byTimothy P. Ryan
Succeeded byVincent Candelora[2]
Personal details
Born(1952-11-02)November 2, 1952
DiedMay 9, 2021(2021-05-09) (aged 68)
North Branford, Connecticut, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseAnita Siena
Children4
EducationUniversity of Connecticut (BA)
University of Cincinnati (JD)

Robert M. Ward (November 2, 1952 – May 9, 2021) was an American politician who served in the Connecticut House of Representatives from 1984 to 2007, and as the minority leader from 1995 to 2007, as a member of the Republican Party. He was the longest-serving caucus leader in the state legislature in Connecticut's history.[3][4]

Ward was raised in Connecticut and was educated at Notre Dame High School, University of Kentucky, University of Connecticut, and the University of Cincinnati. He entered politics when he worked as an intern for state legislator Herbert V. Camp Jr. and later became a member of the North Branford Republican Town Committee.

Ward entered electoral politics when he unsuccessfully challenged Representative Dorothy McCluskey for a seat in the Connecticut House of Representatives from the 86th district in 1980. He ran for the seat again in 1982, against Timothy P. Ryan, but lost again. He won election to the state house after defeating Ryan in the 1984 election and continued to serve until his retirement in 2006. Ward was selected to replace Edward C. Karwiecki, who was retiring, as minority leader.

He was lauded for his service in the state legislature with him being named the most effective legislator twice and the "Excellence in State Legislative Leadership" award by the National Conference of State Legislatures. After leaving the state legislature he served on the University of Connecticut Board of Trustees, as Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles, and as Auditor of Public Accounts. He died from kidney failure in 2021.

Early life and education

Robert M. Ward was born on November 8, 1952, to Richard Ward and Joan Minnick. He was raised in Derby, Connecticut, and graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1970. He attended the University of Kentucky for one year before graduating cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Connecticut in 1974. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Juris Doctor in 1978, and was admitted to the Connecticut bar. He was married to Anita Siena for forty-seven years. He was a member of the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels.[4]

Career

Politics

Ward worked as an intern for Herbert V. Camp Jr., the chair of the finance committee in the Connecticut state legislature, while a senior at the University of Connecticut. He later worked as Camp's campaign coordinator for Camp's United States Senate committee in 1974. He served as the clerk of the judiciary committee in 1975. Ward became a member of the North Branford Republican Town Committee and was selected as North Branford's Jaycee of the year in 1980.[5] He served as president of the North Branford Jaycees in 1982.[6]

Elections

Ward ran for the Republican nomination for a seat in the Connecticut House of Representatives from the 86th district and won the Republican nomination at the convention, but was defeated by incumbent Democratic Representative Dorothy McCluskey.[7][5][8] He ran again in the 86th district during the 1982 election, but was defeated by Timothy P. Ryan.[9] He won the Republican nomination again by unanimity for the 86th district in 1984, and defeated Ryan after raising $1,420 against Ryan's $2,800.[10][11][12]

In 1986, Ward won renomination by the Republican Party with a unanimous vote at the convention and defeated Democratic nominee Joan Fitch in the general election.[13][14] He won renomination with a unanimous vote in 1988, and defeated Democratic nominee Ryan in the general election after spending $6,505 against Ryan's $1,619 and spending $2,546 against Ryan's $79.[15][16][17] He won renomination with a unanimous vote in 1990, and defeated Democratic nominee Peter Serletti in the general election after spending $2,422 against Serletti's $1,158.[18][19][20] Ward defeated the Democratic and A Connecticut Party nominee Colin D. Johnson in the 1992 election.[21] He defeated Democratic nominee Paul Burns in the 1994 election.[22] He won reelection without opposition in 1996, 2000, and 2002.[23][24][25][26] He defeated Democratic nominee Peter Serletti in the 1998 election.[27] He defeated Democratic nominee Ashley Clow Joiner in the 2004 election.[28]

Ward announced that he would not seek reelection to the Connecticut House of Representatives in 2006, and was succeeded by Republican Vincent Candelora.[29][30]

Tenure

Ward initially opposed calls for Governor John G. Rowland to resign or be impeached, but later came out in support of an investigatory committee and called his refusal to testify an affront.

Ward was selected to serve on the transportation and education committees in 1984.[31][32] Ward was appointed to serve as a member of the twenty-five member Commission on Quality and Integrated Education by the governor in 1989.[33] He was selected to serve as assistant Minority Leader in 1991, and later as deputy Minority Leader.[34][35] Ward was selected to replace Edward C. Karwiecki, who was retiring, as Minority Leader in 1994.[36]

Ward endorsed United States Senate Minority Leader Bob Dole for president during the 1988 Republican presidential primary.[37] He endorsed Dole for president again during the 1996 Republican presidential primary and served as vice-chair of Dole's campaign in Connecticut alongside Senate President Pro Tem M. Adela Eads.[38][39] He served as a delegate for Dole to the Republican National Convention.[40] In 1999, Governor John G. Rowland endorsed Governor George W. Bush for president and fifty out of fifty-three Republicans in the state house, including Ward, and fourteen out of seventeen Republicans in the state senate sent a letter urging Bush to run for president.[41] Ward and Chris DePino, the Chairman of the Connecticut Republican Party, led a five-member delegation to Texas to urge Bush to run for president.[42]

In 2003, Rowland revealed that he had lied when he stated that he and his wife had paid for improvements to their summer home and that it was actually paid for by state employees and contractors, including the Tomasso Group, instead. There were calls for his resignation or impeachment following his admission.[43] Ward initially stated that calls for Rowland's resignation were inappropriate and later made another statement with Senate Minority Leader Louis DeLuca that Rowland's resignation or impeachment was not warranted.[44][45] However, he came out in support of an investigatory committee while talking to Speaker of the House Moira K. Lyons.[46] Ward later stated that polling showing that a majority of Republicans wanting Rowland to resign was a reinforcement of the state house's unanimous vote to open an impeachment investigation against Rowland.[47] Ward stated that Rowland's refusal to testify was "an affront to the General Assembly. It also is an affront to the people of Connecticut".[48] Rowland announced his resignation on June 22, which took effect on July 1, after the Connecticut Supreme Court ruled five to two against him in a case regarding the state house impeachment committee's authority to compel his testimony.[49]

Ward was selected as the most effective legislator in 1994 and 1996, and was selected as the most admired legislator in 1996.[4] Ward was awarded "Leader of the Year" in 1997, by the National Republican Legislators Association after being nominated by Lieutenant Governor Jodi Rell.[50] The National Conference of State Legislatures awarded him the "Excellence in State Legislative Leadership" in 2004. He was given the Prescott Bush Award by the Connecticut Republican Party in 2006.[4]

Later life

Ward was a member of the University of Connecticut Board of Trustees from 2007 to 2010. Governor Rell appointed him to serve as the 3rd Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles in 2007, after he left the state legislature and he served for four years.[4][51] Ward served as co-chair of a task force alongside Commissioner of Connecticut Department of Public Health Robert Galvin in 2007, that looked into ways to make teenagers drive more safely.[52] He was appointed as the Auditor of Public Accounts by the Connecticut General Assembly in 2011, and served until 2016.[4]

Ward received a kidney transplant from his brother in 2009, and it lasted until 2019. After the kidney failed Ward started using home dialysis and died on May 9, 2021, in North Branford, Connecticut.[53][4][1][54]

Political positions

Crime

Ward proposed leasing prison cells in Oregon so that Connecticut could send some of its prisoners there to alleviate prison overcrowding in 1991.[55] The state house voted 91 to 54, with Ward voting in favor, in favor of increasing the ways that courts can use the death penalty against murderers in 1991.[56] Following the September 11 attacks Ward called for the state legislature to pass legislation to increase the penalties for making a false threat regarding explosive, chemical, or biological attacks.[57]

Economics

In 1991, the state house voted 84 to 62, with Ward against, against an amendment favored by Governor Lowell Weicker, which would have banned charitable Las Vegas nights which would have prohibited the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe from opening a casino.[58] He opposed the creation of a state income tax.[59] In 2005, he proposed legislation which would protect fast-food restaurants from lawsuits blaming them for obesity.[60]

Sexuality and gay rights

Ward attempted to raise the age of consent from fifteen to seventeen in 1984, but his legislation failed in a voice vote. However, another bill by Ward to raise the age of consent from fifteen to sixteen was passed by a vote of 125 to 21 in the state house.[61][62] Ward voted in favor of legislation which would have banned the usage of Medicaid funds for abortion.[63]

Ward voted against legislation that would have prohibited discrimination against gay people in 1989.[64] In 1989, the state house voted 115 to 29, with Ward voting in favor, against legislation that would have required couples to take an AIDS test before receiving a marriage license.[65] Ward voted in favor of removing sexual orientation from hate crime legislation in 1990.[66] The state house voted 81 to 65, with Ward voting against, in favor of legislation which would prohibit discrimination against gay people in credit, housing, public accommodation, and in the workplace.[67]

In 2005, the state house voted 85 to 63, with Ward voting in favor, in favor of legislation which would recognize civil unions for gay couples and the legislation was later approved by the state senate by a vote of 27 to 9. However, the legislation had an amendment which stated that marriage was between one man and one woman.[68]

Electoral history

1980 Connecticut House of Representatives 86th district election[8]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Dorothy McCluskey (incumbent) 5,924 56.39%
Republican Robert Ward 4,582 43.61%
Total votes 10,506 100.00%
1982 Connecticut House of Representatives 86th district election[9]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Timothy P. Ryan 3,636 54.35%
Republican Robert Ward 3,054 45.65%
Total votes 6,690 100.00%
1984 Connecticut House of Representatives 86th district election[12]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Robert Ward 5,600 60.59%
Democratic Timothy P. Ryan (incumbent) 3,642 39.41%
Total votes 9,242 100.00%
1986 Connecticut House of Representatives 86th district election[14]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Robert Ward (incumbent) 3,277 50.58%
Democratic Joan Fitch 3,202 49.42%
Total votes 6,479 100.00%
1988 Connecticut House of Representatives 86th district election[17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Robert Ward (incumbent) 5,516 58.38%
Democratic Timothy P. Ryan 3,932 41.62%
Total votes 9,448 100.00%
1990 Connecticut House of Representatives 86th district election[20]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Robert Ward (incumbent) 5,246 70.04%
Democratic Peter Serletti 2,244 29.96%
Total votes 7,490 100.00%
1992 Connecticut House of Representatives 86th district election[21]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Robert Ward (incumbent) 5,620 62.84%
Democratic Colin D. Johnson 2,481 27.74%
A Connecticut Party (1990) Colin D. Johnson 842 9.42%
Total Colin D. Johnson 3,323 37.16%
Total votes 8,943 100.00%
1994 Connecticut House of Representatives 86th district election[22]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Robert Ward (incumbent) 4,321 65.71%
Democratic Paul Burns 2,255 34.29%
Total votes 6,576 100.00%
1996 Connecticut House of Representatives 86th district election[24]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Robert Ward (incumbent) 5,077 100.00%
Total votes 5,077 100.00%
1998 Connecticut House of Representatives 86th district election[27]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Robert Ward (incumbent) 4,126 67.18%
Democratic Peter Serletti 2,016 32.82%
Total votes 6,142 100.00%
2000 Connecticut House of Representatives 86th district election[25]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Robert Ward (incumbent) 5,211 100.00%
Total votes 5,211 100.00%
2002 Connecticut House of Representatives 86th district election[26]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Robert Ward (incumbent) 3,948 100.00%
Total votes 3,948 100.00%
2004 Connecticut House of Representatives 86th district election[28]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Robert Ward (incumbent) 5,382 56.98%
Democratic Ashley Clow Joiner 4,064 43.02%
Total votes 9,446 100.00%

References

  1. 1 2 "Motor Vehicles Chief Getting New Kidney". Hartford Courant. March 11, 2009. p. A11. Archived from the original on May 19, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ↑ "2006 election results" (PDF). Secretary of the State of Connecticut. November 7, 2006. p. 60. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 13, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Former Connecticut House GOP leader Robert Ward dies at 68". SFGATE. May 10, 2021. Archived from the original on May 11, 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Robert M. Ward obituary". New Haven Register. May 11, 2021. Archived from the original on May 11, 2021.
  5. 1 2 "Republicans pick nominee, Ward runs for assembly". Record-Journal. July 25, 1980. p. 17. Archived from the original on May 11, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ "President of the North Branford Jaycees". Hartford Courant. October 31, 1996. p. 273. Archived from the original on May 15, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ "1980 Candidates". Record-Journal. May 12, 1980. p. 17. Archived from the original on May 11, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. 1 2 "McCluskey tops Ward; captures fourth term". Record-Journal. November 5, 1980. p. 20. Archived from the original on May 11, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. 1 2 "Democrats Increase Edge in State House". Hartford Courant. November 4, 1982. p. 7. Archived from the original on May 11, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ "Osadnick defeats Benson, to face Mrs. Fritz in fall". Record-Journal. July 20, 1984. p. 21. Archived from the original on May 12, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ↑ "1984 spending". Record-Journal. July 20, 1984. p. 21. Archived from the original on May 12, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. 1 2 "1984 election results". Hartford Courant. November 8, 1984. p. 19. Archived from the original on May 12, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ↑ "Ward to seek second term". Record-Journal. July 22, 1986. p. 15. Archived from the original on May 12, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. 1 2 "1986 election results". Hartford Courant. November 6, 1986. p. 31. Archived from the original on May 12, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ↑ "Ward nominated for third term". Record-Journal. July 22, 1988. p. 13. Archived from the original on May 12, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ↑ "Candidates' financial statements". Record-Journal. October 20, 1988. p. 3. Archived from the original on May 12, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. 1 2 "1988 election results". Secretary of the State of Connecticut. November 8, 1988. p. 43. Archived from the original on July 12, 2020.
  18. ↑ "Ward, Gremelsbacker get GOP nod in 86th and 90th". Record-Journal. July 18, 1990. p. 11. Archived from the original on May 15, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ↑ "Incumbent has lead in campaign spending". Hartford Courant. October 30, 1990. p. 24. Archived from the original on May 15, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. 1 2 "1990 election results" (PDF). Secretary of the State of Connecticut. November 6, 1990. p. 60. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 14, 2021.
  21. 1 2 "1992 election results" (PDF). Secretary of the State of Connecticut. November 3, 1992. p. 43. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 14, 2021.
  22. 1 2 "1994 election results" (PDF). Secretary of the State of Connecticut. November 8, 1994. p. 53. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 13, 2021.
  23. ↑ "Ward wins House seat for 7th term". Hartford Courant. November 6, 1996. p. 141. Archived from the original on May 15, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. 1 2 "1996 election results" (PDF). Secretary of the State of Connecticut. November 5, 1996. p. 53. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 13, 2021.
  25. 1 2 "2000 election results" (PDF). Secretary of the State of Connecticut. November 7, 2000. p. 60. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 13, 2021.
  26. 1 2 "2002 election results" (PDF). Secretary of the State of Connecticut. November 5, 2002. p. 81. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 14, 2021.
  27. 1 2 "1998 election results" (PDF). Secretary of the State of Connecticut. November 3, 1998. p. 109. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 13, 2021.
  28. 1 2 "2004 election results" (PDF). Secretary of the State of Connecticut. November 2, 2004. p. 60. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 14, 2021.
  29. ↑ "Ward won't run again". Record-Journal. March 2, 2006. p. M1. Archived from the original on May 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  30. ↑ "Candelora barely ahead of Joiner in 86th, minus absentee ballots". Record-Journal. November 8, 2006. p. M9. Archived from the original on May 19, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  31. ↑ "State GOP House leaders flesh out committees". Record-Journal. December 19, 1984. p. 11. Archived from the original on May 12, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  32. ↑ "Legislative Committees 1985". Hartford Courant. January 7, 1985. p. 51. Archived from the original on May 12, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  33. ↑ "Commission on Quality and Integrated Education members". Hartford Courant. September 25, 1989. p. 122. Archived from the original on May 13, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  34. ↑ "General Assembly Appointments". Record-Journal. January 6, 1991. p. 122. Archived from the original on May 15, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  35. ↑ "General Assembly". Hartford Courant. January 4, 1995. p. 55. Archived from the original on May 15, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  36. ↑ "New beginnings". Hartford Courant. November 18, 1994. p. 3. Archived from the original on May 15, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  37. ↑ "Dole says he considered leaving politics in 1980". Hartford Courant. January 25, 1988. p. 51. Archived from the original on May 12, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  38. ↑ "Dole gathers converts, cash in state". Hartford Courant. October 4, 1995. p. 9. Archived from the original on May 15, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  39. ↑ "Crowded field awaits state GOP primary". Record-Journal. December 23, 1995. p. 7. Archived from the original on May 15, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  40. ↑ "Connecticut delegation has a Dole state of mind". Hartford Courant. August 12, 1996. p. 7. Archived from the original on May 15, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  41. ↑ "Liked Father, Like Son". Hartford Courant. February 26, 1999. p. 3. Archived from the original on May 16, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  42. ↑ "State Republicans To Court Bush". Hartford Courant. February 28, 1999. p. 8. Archived from the original on May 16, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  43. ↑ "Hot Seat Is Getting Hotter for Governor". Los Angeles Times. December 21, 2003. Archived from the original on May 17, 2021.
  44. ↑ "Rowland gets a lift". Record-Journal. December 23, 2003. p. 4. Archived from the original on May 17, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  45. ↑ "Step down". Record-Journal. January 7, 2004. p. 2. Archived from the original on May 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  46. ↑ "Lyons on her crucial role: 'I have to live with myself'". Record-Journal. January 13, 2004. p. 4. Archived from the original on May 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  47. ↑ "Rowland gets more bad news". Record-Journal. February 20, 2004. p. 1. Archived from the original on May 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  48. ↑ "Governor Takes Off The Gloves". Hartford Courant. May 28, 2004. p. 130. Archived from the original on May 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  49. ↑ "Resignation: Rowland Remains Unapologetic". Hartford Courant. June 22, 2004. Archived from the original on May 17, 2021.
  50. ↑ "Leader of the year". Hartford Courant. August 8, 1997. p. 3. Archived from the original on May 16, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  51. ↑ "Ward Preparing For New Challenges As DMV Commissioner". Hartford Courant. January 1, 2007. p. B01. Archived from the original on May 19, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  52. ↑ "Teen Driving Task Force Set Up". Hartford Courant. November 29, 2007. p. B05. Archived from the original on May 19, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  53. ↑ "Robert Ward, House GOP leader at critical time in CT, dies". The Connecticut Mirror. May 9, 2021. Archived from the original on May 11, 2021.
  54. ↑ "Former Connecticut House GOP leader Robert Ward dies at 68". Associated Press. May 10, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
  55. ↑ "State may send crooks to serve time in Oregon". Record-Journal. April 2, 1991. p. 13. Archived from the original on May 15, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  56. ↑ "House votes to toughen state's death-penalty law". Record-Journal. May 23, 1991. p. 1. Archived from the original on May 15, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  57. ↑ "Terror Session Proposed". Hartford Courant. October 20, 2001. p. 107. Archived from the original on May 17, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  58. ↑ "Pequots win, Weicker loses". Record-Journal. May 17, 1991. p. 1. Archived from the original on May 15, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  59. ↑ "Positions 1990". Hartford Courant. November 1, 1990. p. 180. Archived from the original on May 15, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  60. ↑ "Fast-food suits are targeted". Record-Journal. February 8, 2005. p. 1. Archived from the original on May 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  61. ↑ "Rep. Ward seeks to raise legal age for sex". Record-Journal. May 15, 1985. p. 40. Archived from the original on May 12, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  62. ↑ "Rep. Ward persuades House to accept age of consent bill". Record-Journal. May 17, 1985. p. 10. Archived from the original on May 12, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  63. ↑ "Abortion". Record-Journal. April 27, 1988. p. 4. Archived from the original on May 12, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  64. ↑ "Gay-rights bill defeated after bitter debate". Record-Journal. March 2, 1989. p. 1. Archived from the original on May 13, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  65. ↑ "Pre-marital AIDS-test bill defeated". Record-Journal. May 5, 1989. p. 1. Archived from the original on May 13, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  66. ↑ "Hate-crime bill". Record-Journal. April 21, 1990. p. 5. Archived from the original on May 13, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  67. ↑ "House passes gay-rights bill". Record-Journal. April 12, 1991. p. 1. Archived from the original on May 15, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  68. ↑ "Before OK, House Adds 'Marriage' Definition". Hartford Courant. April 14, 2005. p. A01. Archived from the original on May 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
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