Former Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell, who made history as the second woman to lead the state following her running mate’s resignation due to a corruption scandal, has passed away at the age of 78.

Rell’s family announced her death on Thursday, revealing she had recently been ill and died in a hospital in Florida on Wednesday.
A member of the Republican Party, Rell was the state’s 87th governor, holding office from 2004 until 2011. Her tenure was marked by her genuine approach and empathetic nature; she often reached out personally to residents during their tough times. For Rell, stepping into the role of governor came during a tumultuous phase for Connecticut, as her predecessor, Governor John G. Rowland, was embroiled in a federal investigation and faced potential impeachment.
In a 2010 interview, reflecting on her time in office as she prepared to step down, Rell highlighted her commitment to “restoring honor to the state of Connecticut” as a defining achievement of her governorship.
“Our state had been through so much. What we really needed at that time was to move forward; to make our residents once again proud of their state government,” she explained. Rell’s administration notably focused on reforming campaign finance laws, setting regulations for state contracts, and revamping the state’s ethics commission, all aimed at regaining public trust.
Before becoming governor, Rell served as lieutenant governor for a decade and spent another ten years in the state House of Representatives, where she represented the communities of Brookfield and Bethel. After completing Rowland’s term, she won the gubernatorial election in 2006.