Richard Blumenthal

Richard Blumenthal
Born	13 2, 1946
Birthplace	New York City, New York, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, attorney
Known for	U.S. Senator from Connecticut, former Connecticut Attorney General
Education	Yale Law School (J.D.)
Children	4
Website	[Official Senate website Official site]

Richard Blumenthal (born February 13, 1946) is an American politician and attorney who has served as the senior United States senator from Connecticut since January 2011. A member of the Democratic Party, Blumenthal has built a career spanning more than four decades in public service, encompassing roles as a federal prosecutor, state legislator, and Connecticut's longest-serving attorney general. Before entering elected office, he graduated from Harvard University, studied at Trinity College, Cambridge, and earned his law degree from Yale Law School, where he served as editor-in-chief of the Yale Law Journal. He also served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve from 1970 to 1976, attaining the rank of sergeant. Blumenthal served as United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut from 1977 to 1981, followed by terms in the Connecticut House of Representatives and Connecticut Senate. He was elected Attorney General of Connecticut in 1990, a position he held for twenty years before winning election to the U.S. Senate in 2010. In the Senate, he has served on several committees including the Judiciary Committee and the Veterans' Affairs Committee, where he currently serves as Ranking Member. He was reelected in 2016 and 2022.

Early Life

Richard Blumenthal was born on February 13, 1946, in New York City, New York. He grew up in the New York metropolitan area before pursuing his higher education at some of the most prominent academic institutions in the United States and the United Kingdom. Details regarding his parents and upbringing prior to his university years are limited in available sources, though his early trajectory suggests a family that valued education and public service.

Blumenthal's formative years were shaped significantly by his academic pursuits, which began at Harvard University. At Harvard, he distinguished himself not only as a student but also as a campus leader, serving as chair of The Harvard Crimson, the university's daily newspaper. This position placed him at the center of campus discourse during a politically tumultuous period in American history and provided him with early experience in public communication and editorial leadership.

Following his time at Harvard, Blumenthal crossed the Atlantic to study for a year at Trinity College, Cambridge, in England. This period of international study broadened his academic perspective before he returned to the United States to attend Yale Law School in New Haven, Connecticut, the state that would become his permanent home. At Yale, Blumenthal again rose to a position of editorial leadership, serving as editor-in-chief of the Yale Law Journal, one of the most prestigious legal publications in the country. His tenure at the Yale Law Journal positioned him among the top legal minds of his graduating class and signaled his aptitude for legal scholarship and analysis.

From 1970 to 1976, Blumenthal served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, attaining the rank of sergeant. His military service became a subject of public scrutiny later in his career, particularly during his 2010 Senate campaign, when questions arose about how he had characterized his service record in public statements.

Education

Blumenthal's educational background is notable for its breadth and distinction across multiple elite institutions. He earned his undergraduate degree from Harvard University, where his role as chair of The Harvard Crimson demonstrated leadership and communication abilities beyond the academic curriculum. He subsequently spent a year at Trinity College, Cambridge, pursuing further studies in the United Kingdom.

Blumenthal then enrolled at Yale Law School, where he earned his Juris Doctor degree. During his time at Yale, he served as editor-in-chief of the Yale Law Journal, a distinction typically reserved for the highest-performing students in the law school. The editorship of the Yale Law Journal is considered one of the most prestigious positions in American legal education and has been held by numerous figures who went on to prominent careers in law, politics, and the judiciary.

Career

Early Legal Career and U.S. Attorney

After graduating from Yale Law School and passing the bar, Blumenthal began his legal career in Washington, D.C., where he served as an administrative assistant and law clerk for several prominent figures in the nation's capital. These early positions provided Blumenthal with an introduction to the intersection of law and government that would define his subsequent career.

In 1977, Blumenthal was appointed United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, succeeding Peter Dorsey in the role. He served in this capacity until November 1, 1981, when he was succeeded by Alan Nevas. As U.S. Attorney, Blumenthal was the chief federal prosecutor in Connecticut, responsible for representing the United States government in criminal and civil matters within the district. The position gave him extensive experience in federal law enforcement and courtroom litigation.

Following his tenure as U.S. Attorney, Blumenthal entered private law practice in the early 1980s. During this period, he also served as volunteer counsel for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, engaging in civil rights litigation on a pro bono basis. This work reflected an interest in public interest law that would continue to characterize his approach throughout his career in public service.

Connecticut State Legislature

Blumenthal entered elected office when he won a seat in the Connecticut House of Representatives, representing the 145th district. He began service on April 11, 1984, succeeding Anthony Truglia. He served one term in the state House before being elected to the Connecticut Senate in 1986, representing the 27th district. He began his state Senate service on November 4, 1987, again succeeding Anthony Truglia in the seat.

Blumenthal's time in the Connecticut General Assembly provided him with experience in state-level legislative processes and allowed him to build a political base within Connecticut. He served in the state Senate until January 3, 1991, when he departed to assume the office of Attorney General. His successor in the 27th state Senate district was George Jepsen, who would later follow Blumenthal's path by eventually becoming Attorney General of Connecticut himself.

Attorney General of Connecticut

In 1990, Blumenthal was elected Attorney General of Connecticut, succeeding Clarine Nardi Riddle. He assumed office on January 9, 1991, and served for twenty consecutive years, making him one of the longest-serving attorneys general in Connecticut history. He was reelected multiple times throughout the 1990s and 2000s, consistently winning by substantial margins.

As Attorney General, Blumenthal became one of the most prominent state attorneys general in the country, known for his active approach to consumer protection, environmental enforcement, and corporate accountability. He frequently pursued litigation against large corporations on behalf of Connecticut consumers and residents.

Blumenthal took action against utility companies, filing complaints and pursuing regulatory challenges related to energy rates and practices. In 2001, his office engaged with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on utility-related matters affecting Connecticut consumers. In 2003, his office opposed proposed rate increases that would have affected Connecticut ratepayers.

Blumenthal's office also pursued investigations into insurance industry practices. In 2007, his office was involved in actions related to insurance practices in the eastern United States.

The attorney general's office under Blumenthal investigated consumer issues related to technology and digital privacy. His office produced reports on consumer protection matters including those related to digital data.

During the financial crisis of the late 2000s, Blumenthal's office filed a lawsuit against Countrywide Financial, one of the nation's largest mortgage lenders, alleging predatory lending practices that harmed Connecticut homeowners. His office also pursued litigation related to computer and technology issues affecting consumers.

Blumenthal's two-decade tenure as attorney general established him as a household name in Connecticut politics and built a reputation that positioned him as a leading candidate for higher office. His office's active litigation against corporate interests on behalf of consumers earned him significant public visibility.

2010 U.S. Senate Campaign

Blumenthal announced his candidacy for the United States Senate in 2010 after incumbent Senator Chris Dodd announced his retirement from the seat he had held since 1981. Blumenthal entered the race as a substantial favorite, with early polling showing him with commanding leads over potential Republican challengers.

The race drew national attention as the Republican Party nominated Linda McMahon, a professional wrestling magnate and former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, who largely self-funded her campaign. The contest was one of the most closely watched and expensive Senate races of the 2010 election cycle.

Blumenthal's campaign was not without controversy. During the primary season, reports emerged questioning statements Blumenthal had made about his military service record, specifically instances in which he appeared to have said he served "in Vietnam" when his Marine Corps Reserve service had been entirely stateside. The controversy generated significant media coverage and temporarily narrowed the race.

The Cook Political Report tracked the race throughout the campaign cycle. Blumenthal also received attention from national political observers and outlets such as Politico, which covered the dynamics of the race and its implications for the broader Senate landscape.

During the Democratic primary process, Blumenthal faced a challenge from Merrick Alpert, though the primary did not prove to be a significant obstacle to his nomination. Public polling throughout the general election showed Blumenthal maintaining a lead.

On Election Day in November 2010, Blumenthal defeated McMahon with approximately 55% of the vote, securing the Senate seat despite the broader national political environment that saw significant Republican gains in what was characterized as a "wave" election year.

U.S. Senate

Blumenthal took office as a United States Senator on January 5, 2011, succeeding Chris Dodd. After Joe Lieberman retired from Connecticut's other Senate seat in 2013, Blumenthal became the state's senior senator, serving alongside junior senator Chris Murphy.

In the Senate, Blumenthal has served on several influential committees. He has been a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, and the Veterans' Affairs Committee. As of January 3, 2025, he serves as Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, succeeding Jerry Moran in that role.

Blumenthal has also served as Ranking Member of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, a position from which he has conducted oversight activities. In February 2026, he released whistleblower documents alleging significant cuts to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) training and testing protocols for new recruits. The whistleblower allegations prompted further reporting, including from ICE attorneys who raised concerns about the agency's representations to Congress.

In his role on the Subcommittee on Investigations, Blumenthal co-hosted a forum in February 2026 with Representative Robert Garcia on constitutional issues related to federal agency actions.

Blumenthal has been an outspoken advocate for Ukraine in the context of the Russo-Ukrainian War. As of February 2026, marking four years since Russia's full-scale invasion, Blumenthal traveled to Ukraine and subsequently pushed for congressional action on a sanctions bill targeting Russia.

Blumenthal was reelected to the Senate in 2016 and again in 2022, continuing to represent Connecticut in the upper chamber of the United States Congress.

Throughout his Senate tenure, Blumenthal has focused on issues including consumer protection, gun violence prevention, technology regulation, veterans' affairs, and oversight of federal agencies. His background as a long-serving state attorney general has informed his approach to legislative and oversight work, with a particular emphasis on holding corporations and government agencies accountable.

Personal Life

Richard Blumenthal resides in Connecticut. He and his wife have four children, including Matt Blumenthal, who has pursued his own career in Connecticut politics. The Blumenthal family has maintained a presence in Connecticut public life for decades, with Richard Blumenthal's career in the state spanning from his time at Yale Law School through his current service in the U.S. Senate.

Blumenthal's military service in the United States Marine Corps Reserve from 1970 to 1976 has been a recurring element of his public biography. He attained the rank of sergeant during his six years of reserve service. The characterization of this service became a significant campaign issue during his 2010 Senate race, when media reports highlighted instances in which Blumenthal had made statements that appeared to suggest he had served in the Vietnam War theater of operations, rather than in the reserves stateside during the Vietnam era.

Recognition

Blumenthal's twenty-year tenure as Attorney General of Connecticut made him one of the most recognized attorneys general in the nation during his service. His active approach to consumer protection litigation and corporate accountability cases generated substantial media coverage and public recognition throughout his time in that office.

As a U.S. Senator, Blumenthal has continued to maintain a high public profile. His work on the Senate Judiciary Committee has placed him at the center of several high-profile confirmation hearings and legislative debates. His positions on the Veterans' Affairs Committee and the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations have provided additional platforms for oversight and legislative action.

Columnists and political analysts in Connecticut have regularly assessed Blumenthal's political career and influence. The Hartford Courant, Connecticut's largest newspaper, has provided ongoing coverage of his career spanning his time as attorney general through his Senate service.

His consistent electoral success in Connecticut — winning the attorney general's office five times and the Senate seat three times — reflects a sustained base of political support in the state. His transition from Connecticut's senior law enforcement officer to its senior United States senator represents one of the more notable career progressions in recent Connecticut political history.

Legacy

Richard Blumenthal's career in Connecticut public service spans more than four decades, beginning with his appointment as U.S. Attorney in 1977 and continuing through his current service in the United States Senate. His twenty-year tenure as Attorney General of Connecticut, from 1991 to 2011, established a model of active state-level enforcement that influenced how attorneys general across the country approached consumer protection and corporate accountability.

As attorney general, Blumenthal pursued cases against major corporations in industries including energy, insurance, financial services, and technology. His office's litigation against Countrywide Financial during the mortgage crisis, his challenges to utility rate increases, and his consumer protection investigations established precedents for state-level enforcement actions that complemented federal regulatory efforts.

In the Senate, Blumenthal has continued to focus on oversight and accountability themes that defined his career as attorney general. His work on the Judiciary Committee, Veterans' Affairs Committee, and Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations has allowed him to apply his prosecutorial background to the legislative and oversight functions of the upper chamber. His successor as attorney general, George Jepsen — who had also succeeded him in the state Senate — continued many of the enforcement priorities Blumenthal had established, suggesting an institutional legacy beyond his personal tenure.

Blumenthal's career trajectory — from federal prosecutor to state legislator to attorney general to U.S. senator — represents a sustained engagement with public service that has made him one of the defining figures in Connecticut politics of the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries.