HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont formally launched his bid for a third term Friday, highlighting his record but saying more work is needed to improve health care access, housing availability and energy affordability.
“We've come a long way but the job's not done,” the wealthy 71-year-old Democrat and former cable entrepreneur says in an upbeat, fast-paced campaign video released online. He spent the day making appearances throughout the state with Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, who is seeking a third term as well.
Lamont's announcement comes on the heels of successful municipal elections for Democrats in Connecticut.
With a reputation as a fiscal moderate, Lamont is facing a primary from progressive Democratic Rep. Josh Elliott of Hamden, who has criticized the governor for being too centrist and not supporting higher taxes on the wealthy.
Greenwich state Sen. Ryan Fazio is officially seeking the Republican nomination for governor while former Republican Mayor Erin Stewart of New Britain has said she's considering a run.
Lamont on Friday credited his administration with making major positive changes for the state, saying Connecticut “was in a world of hurt, lurching from deficit to deficit” when he first took office in 2019.
“I said, 'We're turning around the moving vans. I want you to believe in the state of Connecticut again,'” he says in the video. Since then, he said, state investments have been made in cities and public education. There are more new jobs and income tax rates were cut.
While criticized from some on the left for not being more combative with Republican President Donald Trump, Lamont pledged in his ad to “fight for Connecticut values," a term he often uses.
“He excludes some people. Some people don't feel like they belong in Trump America,” Lamont said. “They belong in Connecticut.”
FILE - Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont talks during a ceremony for the presentation of the first Governor's Award of Excellence in Westport, CT, Wednesday, March 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
In a box office battle of the sequels, “The Devil Wears Prada 2” had the slight edge over “Mortal Kombat II” in North American theaters this weekend. According to studio estimates Sunday, “The Devil Wears Prada 2” earned a chart topping $43 million in its second weekend, while “Mortal Kombat II” took in $40 million in its first.
This weekend had wide variety of newcomers playing in wide release, including the family-friendly whodunnit “The Sheep Detectives” and a James Cameron co-directed Billie Eilish concert film.
But it was the holdover that triumphed. “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” which has grossed $433.2 million worldwide in its first 12 days in release, helped push The Walt Disney Studios over $2 billion globally for the year. It’s also surpassed the total grosses of the first film, which earned $327 million globally in 2006, not accounting for inflation.
“Mortal Kombat II” provided some gendered counterprogramming in the second weekend of Hollywood's summer movie season. Warner Bros. opened the movie in 3,503 locations where it drew a heavily male audience. According to PostTrak, 75% of the ticket buyers were men. “The Devil Wears Prada 2” had almost the exact opposite gender breakdown on its first weekend.
The first movie in this series, “Mortal Kombat,” was released simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max in April 2021 as a part of Warner Bros.’ pandemic-era day-and-date strategy. Reviews have been mixed for the sequel, as was its B CinemaScore. It also earned $23 million from 78 markets internationally, adding up to a $63 million global debut.
“Michael” landed in third place in its third weekend with another $36.5 million over the weekend, down only 33% from last weekend. The Michael Jackson biopic has now earned $240.5 million in North America, surpassing the total domestic grosses of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” and $577.4 million globally.
Fourth place went to Amazon MGM Studios' “The Sheep Detectives” which brought in $15.9 million in its first weekend in 3,457 theaters. The quirky, all-ages murder mystery features a starry ensemble including Hugh Jackman, Emma Thompson and Nicholas Braun, as well as the voices of Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Bryan Cranston, Regina Hall and Patrick Stewart as the sheep who try to figure out who murdered their shepherd. Audiences gave it an A- CinemaScore. The movie cost a reported $75 million to produce.
Rounding out the top five was “Billie Eilish—Hit Me Hard & Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D)” an immersive concert experience which Cameron shared co-directing credits on with Eilish. Paramount released the movie in 2,613 theaters, where it earned $7.5 million in North America and $12.6 million internationally. The movie was very well reviewed by critics (93% on Rotten Tomatoes) and audiences, who gave it an A CinemaScore.
James Cameron, left, and Billie Eilish pose for photographers upon arrival a the screening of the film 'Hit me Hard and Soft: The Tour' on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in London. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)
Martyn Ford, from left, Tati Gabrielle, Adeline Rudolph, Lewis Tan and Mehcad Brooks pose for photographers upon arrival at the European Fan Event of the film 'Mortal Kombat II' on Thursday, April 30, 2026, in London. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)
