Ned Lamont Launches Second Bid for Governor.

Ned Lamont returns. The Greenwich millionaire will seek the Democratic nomination for governor. Lamont began his campaign Wednesday with the release of a 2-minute video in which he stakes his claim to the left-wing Democratic primary voters.

Lamont denounces the state’s leadership of the past 30 or 40 years for letting down its residents. His first priority will be a $15 an hour minimum wage. He also declares we need women in leadership positions across state government (just not as governor this time).

Lamont will continue a tour of diners that looks like it began while filming the launch video.

This is Lamont’s third statewide campaign. His first was a memorable challenge to then-incumbent Joseph Lieberman for the 2006 Democratic nomination for U.S. senator. Lamont, running against American involvement to the war in Iraq, won a primary victory that made news around the world. Lieberman continued the fight as an independent candidate and scored a decisive win against Lamont that November. In 2010, Lamont suffered a landslide defeat when he lost to endorsed Democrat Dannel P. Malloy in the Democratic primary for governor. Malloy is by implication one those leaders Lamont believes has let down the state.

With his willingness to spend part of his fortune, Lamont will have a financial advantage in preparing for the May nominating convention and the inevitable August primary. He has not, however, been a familiar figure among party activists to the same degree as chief rival Susan Bysiewicz.