Former state Senate Majority Leader George Jepsen of Ridgefield became the favorite to win the state Democratic Party's nomination for attorney general when the state Supreme Court Tuesday found Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz ineligible to run for the office.
Later Tuesday, Jepsen issued a statement in reaction to the 7-0 ruling - which reversed a lower court finding that Bysiewicz was qualified under a state statute requiring that the state's attorney general have 10 years' experience in the "active practice" of law in Connecticut.
Jepsen said: "I believe my broad legal experience and record as a legislator will make me the best possible Attorney General candidate going forward. I want to welcome Susan's supporters to be a part of my campaign team. This is a surprise and I had expected the voters would make the final decision in the August primary."