Jodi Rell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jodi Rell
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Rell in 2023
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| 87th Governor of Connecticut | |
| In office July 1, 2004 – January 5, 2011 |
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| Lieutenant | Kevin Sullivan Michael Fedele |
| Preceded by | John Rowland |
| Succeeded by | Dan Malloy |
| 105th Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut | |
| In office January 4, 1995 – July 13, 2004 |
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| Governor | John Rowland |
| Preceded by | Eunice Groark |
| Succeeded by | Kevin Sullivan |
| Member of the Connecticut House of Representatives from the 107th district |
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| In office January 1985 – January 1995 |
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| Preceded by | David Smith |
| Succeeded by | Scott Santa-Maria |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Mary Carolyn Reavis
June 16, 1946 Norfolk, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | November 20, 2024 (aged 78) Florida, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Lou Rell
(m. 1967; died 2014) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Old Dominion University Western Connecticut State University |
Mary Carolyn "Jodi" Rell (born Reavis; June 16, 1946 – November 20, 2024) was an American politician. She served as the 87th governor of Connecticut from 2004 to 2011. Before becoming governor, Rell was the state's 105th lieutenant governor of Connecticut from 1995 to 2004. She became governor after Governor John G. Rowland stepped down from office.
Jodi Rell was the second woman to serve as Governor of Connecticut, following Ella Grasso. She decided not to run for re-election in 2010 and left office in January 2011. She was the last Republican and last woman to serve as Governor of Connecticut.
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Early Life and Education
Jodi Rell was born as Mary Carolyn Reavis in Norfolk, Virginia. She went to Old Dominion University. In 1967, she left college to marry Lou Rell, who was a U.S. Navy pilot.
The couple first moved to New Jersey. Lou Rell then became a commercial airline pilot. In 1969, the family moved to Brookfield, Connecticut. Jodi Rell later attended Western Connecticut State University, but she did not graduate. She received special "honorary" law degrees from the University of Hartford in 2001 and the University of New Haven in 2004. In 2015, she received another honorary degree from Western Connecticut State University. Early in her career, she worked as a tutor and substitute teacher for the Hartford Public Schools.
Starting Her Political Career
Jodi Rell's journey into politics began by helping with campaigns for Connecticut state Representative David Smith. Smith was a pilot who decided not to run for re-election in 1984. He encouraged Rell to run for his seat.
Rell was elected in 1984. She represented the 107th District, which included Brookfield. She served in the Connecticut House of Representatives from 1985 to 1995.
In 1994, she became lieutenant governor as John G. Rowland's running mate. They won re-election in 1998 and 2002. She became governor in 2004 when Governor Rowland resigned.
Governor of Connecticut (2004–2011)
Leading the State
When Jodi Rell first became governor, she was very popular. A poll in December 2004 showed that 80 percent of people approved of her work. This was the highest rating ever for a Connecticut governor in that poll.
In October 2005, she announced she would seek a full four-year term in 2006. The Republican Party chose her as their candidate in May 2006. Michael Fedele, a businessman, was chosen as her running mate for lieutenant governor.
Rell won the 2006 Connecticut gubernatorial election. She defeated her Democratic opponent, New Haven Mayor John DeStefano, Jr.. She received about 710,000 votes, which was the most votes for any governor candidate in Connecticut's history. She won in almost all towns across the state.
Some people even thought Governor Rell might be a candidate for vice president in the 2008 presidential election. However, the presidential candidate John McCain chose Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin instead.
In 2008, her Lieutenant Governor, Michael Fedele, thought Rell would run for re-election in 2010. Rell herself said she would explore the idea. But on November 9, 2009, she announced she would not seek re-election. Democrat Dan Malloy became the next governor on January 5, 2011.
Focus on Education
Governor Rell supported a lawsuit against the federal No Child Left Behind Act. This law required states to do more standardized testing. Rell believed it would force Connecticut to spend a lot of money to meet very high standards. She felt this was unfair because Connecticut's schools were already performing very well.
Her goal was to make sure the state's schools could continue to do well without unnecessary burdens. Rell was always very involved in education issues. For example, she gave the 2008 graduation speech at Central Connecticut State University.
Managing State Money
Rell believed in keeping state spending under control. She supported Connecticut's rule that limits how much the state can spend. Because of this, in June 2006, the state had a large extra amount of money, called a "surplus," of $910 million. Also, the state's "Rainy Day Fund" (money saved for emergencies) reached over $1 billion for the first time.
In 2007, Rell suggested spending more money on education. This plan would have gone over the spending limit and might have required raising the state income tax. Many lawmakers and people were against raising taxes. Rell later changed her mind and withdrew her support for the increased spending plan.
In 2005, Rell signed a law to bring back a tax on large estates (property left after someone dies). This tax applied to estates worth $2 million or more. Some people worried this tax would make wealthy citizens leave the state.
She also signed a law in 2005 that changed how political campaigns are funded. This law stopped lobbyists (people who try to influence lawmakers) from giving money to campaigns. It also allowed for public money to be used for future campaigns. This law was supported by Senator John McCain.
In June 2006, Rell helped homeowners in New London. These homeowners were affected by a court decision called Kelo v. New London. Rell suggested that they be given new property deeds so they could keep their homes in the area. A solution was found with the homeowners on June 30, 2006.
In 2007, Rell disagreed with other lawmakers about how much money the state should borrow for projects. She felt their plan borrowed too much. They later agreed to borrow less money, and Rell signed the plan into law.
Health Care and Wages
In July 2009, the Connecticut legislature passed a health care reform law called SustiNet. This law was a big step for public health care options in the nation. Governor Rell had vetoed it, but the legislature voted to pass it anyway.
In May 2008, Rell vetoed a bill that would raise the minimum wage in Connecticut. However, the legislature voted to override her veto in June 2008. This law increased Connecticut's minimum wage from $7.65 an hour to $8.00 an hour in January 2009, and then to $8.25 an hour in 2010.
Personal Life
Jodi Rell was a member of the Episcopal Church. She married Lou Rell in 1967. They had two children, Michael and Meredith. In April 2006, she became a grandmother, and her campaign ads in 2006 even showed her with her grandson.
In December 2004, Rell had surgery for breast cancer. Her husband, Lou Rell, passed away on March 22, 2014, from cancer.
Jodi Rell died on November 20, 2024, in a hospital in Florida. She was 78 years old and had been ill for a short time.
See also
In Spanish: Jodi Rell para niños
- List of governors of Connecticut
- List of female state governors in the United States
- List of female lieutenant governors in the United States
