Merrick Alpert
Encyclopedia
Merrick Alpert is a Connecticut
businessman and politician. He was a Democratic
candidate in the 2010 Connecticut Senate race
. Before running for office himself, Alpert served as a political aide to Oklahoma Governor David Walters
and Vice President
Al Gore
. On May 21, 2009, Merrick announced his candidacy to run against Democrat
Christopher Dodd
. Following Dodd's announcement on January 8, 2010 that he would not seek re-election, Merrick challenged Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal
for the Democratic nomination.
. He grew up in Colchester, Connecticut
. As a young child his father left his family and Merrick and his brother and sister were raised in a single parent household by their mother Alma Alpert, who worked two jobs as a school teacher and baker.
Alpert attended the University of Connecticut
and graduated with a degree in Political Science from Trinity College
in Connecticut in 1988. Alpert then attended the Georgetown University Law Center
in Washington D.C., receiving his Juris doctor
in 1991.
's 1988 bid for the presidency and he later served as an aide for Gore.
In 1992 he worked for Bill Clinton
's successful presidential campaign, and served as a delegate at that year's Democratic National Convention. Following the election he worked for the National Health Care campaign as part of the unsuccessful Clinton health care plan of 1993, and from there would go on to work as a policy advisor for Oklahoma Governor David Walters.
He would return to working for Gore during his 2000 Presidential campaign
.
officer and a member of the Army National Guard
. He volunteered for the Air Force in 1998, and served in peacekeeping missions flying a special operations helicopter unit in Bosnia. His service would earn him the Joint Service Commendation Medal.
who announced his candidacy following Senator Dodd's decision to leave the race.
The New York Times said that the debate went Alpert's way. Following it Blumenthal announced that he would not have another debate with Alpert, saying he was preoccupied with his duties as Attorney General. Alpert was troubled by this, and told the Norwich Bulletin
that Blumenthal was scared to debate again.
Alpert gained greater recognition and several delegates following revelations on Richard Blumenthal's Vietnam record. The New York Times published a news story on May 17, 2010 revealing that Blumenthal had never been in Vietnam despite statements he made suggesting he had. The Democratic party weakened its support for Blumenthal and some began considering a new candidate for the Democratic nominee. Politico.com reported that Alpert was making strong movement in the 3 days he had left before the Convention. Many delegates who were discouraged from supporting Merrick began to voice support for Merrick openly. Merrick told reporters proudly on May 19:
with his wife, Alexandra, whom he met during the 2000 Presidential Election
when he traveled with Al Gore to California. They have three children. Alpert's first book, a memoir titled Morning Sun, was released in October 2009. The book details Alpert's upbringing by a single mother, as well as his experiences in politics and the military.
Alpert founded the medical software company E-Ceptionist in 1999. Following the sale of his shares in the company, he has held the position of President at Turbine Generator Maintenance and Latitude 18.
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
businessman and politician. He was a Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
candidate in the 2010 Connecticut Senate race
United States Senate election in Connecticut, 2010
The 2010 United States Senate election in Connecticut was a midterm election which took place on November 2, 2010 to decide a Class III Senator from the State of Connecticut to join the 112th United States Congress. Incumbent Democratic U.S...
. Before running for office himself, Alpert served as a political aide to Oklahoma Governor David Walters
David Walters
David Lee Walters was the 24th Governor of Oklahoma from 1991 to 1995.-Biography:Walters was born near Canute, Oklahoma. He graduated as valedictorian from Canute High School in 1969. He later graduated from University of Oklahoma in 1973 with a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering...
and Vice President
Vice President of the United States
The Vice President of the United States is the holder of a public office created by the United States Constitution. The Vice President, together with the President of the United States, is indirectly elected by the people, through the Electoral College, to a four-year term...
Al Gore
Al Gore
Albert Arnold "Al" Gore, Jr. served as the 45th Vice President of the United States , under President Bill Clinton. He was the Democratic Party's nominee for President in the 2000 U.S. presidential election....
. On May 21, 2009, Merrick announced his candidacy to run against Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Christopher Dodd
Christopher Dodd
Christopher John "Chris" Dodd is an American lawyer, lobbyist, and Democratic Party politician who served as a United States Senator from Connecticut for a thirty-year period ending with the 111th United States Congress....
. Following Dodd's announcement on January 8, 2010 that he would not seek re-election, Merrick challenged Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal
Richard Blumenthal
Richard Blumenthal is the junior United States Senator from Connecticut and a member of the Democratic Party. Previously, he served as Attorney General of Connecticut....
for the Democratic nomination.
Early life
Alpert was born August 11, 1966 in Hartford, ConnecticutHartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
. He grew up in Colchester, Connecticut
Colchester, Connecticut
Colchester is a town in New London County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 14,551 at the 2000 census. In 2005 it was ranked 57th on the "100 Best Places to Live" in all of the United States, conducted by CNN...
. As a young child his father left his family and Merrick and his brother and sister were raised in a single parent household by their mother Alma Alpert, who worked two jobs as a school teacher and baker.
Alpert attended the University of Connecticut
University of Connecticut
The admission rate to the University of Connecticut is about 50% and has been steadily decreasing, with about 28,000 prospective students applying for admission to the freshman class in recent years. Approximately 40,000 prospective students tour the main campus in Storrs annually...
and graduated with a degree in Political Science from Trinity College
Trinity College (Connecticut)
Trinity College is a private, liberal arts college in Hartford, Connecticut. Founded in 1823, it is the second-oldest college in the state of Connecticut after Yale University. The college enrolls 2,300 students and has been coeducational since 1969. Trinity offers 38 majors and 26 minors, and has...
in Connecticut in 1988. Alpert then attended the Georgetown University Law Center
Georgetown University Law Center
Georgetown University Law Center is the law school of Georgetown University, located in Washington, D.C.. Established in 1870, the Law Center offers J.D., LL.M., and S.J.D. degrees in law...
in Washington D.C., receiving his Juris doctor
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
in 1991.
Early political career
Alpert volunteered on Senator Al GoreAl Gore
Albert Arnold "Al" Gore, Jr. served as the 45th Vice President of the United States , under President Bill Clinton. He was the Democratic Party's nominee for President in the 2000 U.S. presidential election....
's 1988 bid for the presidency and he later served as an aide for Gore.
In 1992 he worked for Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
's successful presidential campaign, and served as a delegate at that year's Democratic National Convention. Following the election he worked for the National Health Care campaign as part of the unsuccessful Clinton health care plan of 1993, and from there would go on to work as a policy advisor for Oklahoma Governor David Walters.
He would return to working for Gore during his 2000 Presidential campaign
Al Gore presidential campaign, 2000
Al Gore, the 45th Vice President of the United States under Bill Clinton, announced his candidacy for the presidency of the United States in Carthage, Tennessee on June 16, 1999. Gore became the nominee of the Democratic Party for the 2000 presidential election on August 17, 2000...
.
Military career
Alpert has served as both an United States Air ForceUnited States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
officer and a member of the Army National Guard
Army National Guard
Established under Title 10 and Title 32 of the U.S. Code, the Army National Guard is part of the National Guard and is divided up into subordinate units stationed in each of the 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia operating under their respective governors...
. He volunteered for the Air Force in 1998, and served in peacekeeping missions flying a special operations helicopter unit in Bosnia. His service would earn him the Joint Service Commendation Medal.
2010 U.S. Senate campaign
Alpert entered the race in opposition of the-then incumbent Senator Chris Dodd. In January 2010 Dodd announced he would instead not seek re-election. Alpert now challenges Connecticut Attorney General Richard BlumenthalRichard Blumenthal
Richard Blumenthal is the junior United States Senator from Connecticut and a member of the Democratic Party. Previously, he served as Attorney General of Connecticut....
who announced his candidacy following Senator Dodd's decision to leave the race.
Democratic primary debate
Alpert received little media attention prior to his first debate with Richard Blumenthal on March 1, 2010. Entering the debate he was considered a long-shot candidate, faced with the challenges of low voter recognition and poor fundraising as compared to his rival, who beat him in polls 84-4 percent.The New York Times said that the debate went Alpert's way. Following it Blumenthal announced that he would not have another debate with Alpert, saying he was preoccupied with his duties as Attorney General. Alpert was troubled by this, and told the Norwich Bulletin
Norwich Bulletin
The Norwich Bulletin is a newspaper printed daily in eastern Connecticut, based in the city of Norwich and owned by the Gatehouse Media. It covers eastern Connecticut, with a focus on the Norwich area and points north. The circulation is 26,583 for every day except Sunday, which has a circulation...
that Blumenthal was scared to debate again.
Democratic Nominating Convention
Merrick told the press on May 12 that he was being barred from attending the Democratic Nominating Convention by Blumenthal's supporters. Throughout his campaign, he was refused from speaking to Democratic Town Committees because many felt Blumenthal was a clear favorite to win the seat.Alpert gained greater recognition and several delegates following revelations on Richard Blumenthal's Vietnam record. The New York Times published a news story on May 17, 2010 revealing that Blumenthal had never been in Vietnam despite statements he made suggesting he had. The Democratic party weakened its support for Blumenthal and some began considering a new candidate for the Democratic nominee. Politico.com reported that Alpert was making strong movement in the 3 days he had left before the Convention. Many delegates who were discouraged from supporting Merrick began to voice support for Merrick openly. Merrick told reporters proudly on May 19:
- There is now going to be a movement to allow us to speak Friday at the convention. There are several people on the rules committee saying Blumenthal may not be electable, let's let Merrick Alpert speak at the convention.
Personal life
Alpert lives in Mystic, ConnecticutMystic, Connecticut
Mystic is a village and census-designated place in New London County, Connecticut, in the United States. The population was 4,001 at the 2000 census. A historic locality, Mystic has no independent government because it is not a legally recognized municipality in the state of Connecticut...
with his wife, Alexandra, whom he met during the 2000 Presidential Election
2000 presidential election
The 2000 presidential election may refer to:* Croatian presidential elections, 2000* Federal Republic of Yugoslavia presidential election, 2000* Fijian presidential election, 2000* Ghanaian presidential election, 2000* Polish presidential election, 2000...
when he traveled with Al Gore to California. They have three children. Alpert's first book, a memoir titled Morning Sun, was released in October 2009. The book details Alpert's upbringing by a single mother, as well as his experiences in politics and the military.
Alpert founded the medical software company E-Ceptionist in 1999. Following the sale of his shares in the company, he has held the position of President at Turbine Generator Maintenance and Latitude 18.
External links
- Merrick Democrat for U.S. Senate Merrick Alpert's official campaign website