State Comptroller Kevin Lembo announced Friday he is resigning his post due to a “serious and debilitating cardiac condition.”
In a statement, Lembo said he will remain in office until Dec. 31.
“It has been the honor of my life to serve the people of Connecticut as state comptroller,” Lembo said. “Over ten years ago, voters took a chance on a gay, vegetarian nerd that had never run for office in his life. I’ve worked every day since to represent this office with honesty, integrity and a focus on the common good. Even now, I love the work that I do and the people I work with. Unfortunately, my health simply won’t allow me to continue to serve.”
Lembo, a Democrat who has served as comptroller since 2011, said he was diagnosed with a serious heart condition that is worsening in intensity and severity. His doctors have recommended that he not continue working.
Lembo has had a higher public profile than most predecessors in the comptroller’s office, in part due to his advocacy of expanded and affordable health care for the state’s residents. He had advocated for a public health plan that could compete with private insurers, though his most recent efforts were rebuffed by the legislature.
He has won praise for his work to lower prices for members of the state’s healthcare plan, reduce the state’s pension debt and boost Connecticut’s financial transparency, among other achievements.
Prior to his time as comptroller, Lembo served as the state’s health care advocate.
“I’m extremely proud of what we’ve accomplished together during my three terms in office,” he said. “We’ve made Connecticut a model for government transparency, instituted innovative changes in the state health plan to lower costs while improving patient care and wrote the plan that has led to record savings in the state’s Rainy Day Fund. While I’m disappointed that I’ll be unable to complete this term, the work that’s been done in the last 11 years has made Connecticut a better place to live, work and raise a family and that’s why I wanted this job in the first place. I feel confident that whoever follows me in this position has all the resources in place to continue this work and build on our successes.”
