William O'Neill (Connecticut politician)

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William Atchison O'Neill (born August 11, 1930) was a U.S. political figure. Born in Hartford, Connecticut, he was elected Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut in 1978 on a ticket with Governor Ella Grasso. When Grasso resigned for health reasons in December 1980, O'Neill became Governor. O'Neill was elected to a full term in 1982 and re-elected in 1986.

Prior to serving as Lieutenant Governor O'Neill served as the state representative from East Hampton, Connecticut, where he owned a restaurant.

O'Neill benefited from the economic boom Connecticut enjoyed during the Ronald Reagan administration when the state's job growth was at a recent historic peak. The state enjoyed large budget surpluses in this era. His large re-election victory in 1986 over Lowell Weicker ally Julia Belaga had an effect on the state legislature, which gained large majorities of liberal Democrats eager to expand state government. By 1989 the state's finances were in precarious condition, requiring a major tax increase. The 1990 recession hit Connecticut very hard with the real estate, banking and defense industries all faltering with resultant job losses and tax revenue losses. Facing plummeting approval ratings and a budget situation continuing to deteriorate despite the 1989 tax hike, O'Neill decided in early 1990 to bow out of a re-election bid.

Preceded by: Ella T. Grasso

Governor of Connecticut 1980—1991

Succeeded by: Lowell P. Weicker

Governors of Connecticut

Trumbull Sr • M Griswold • Huntington • Wolcott • Trumbull Jr • Treadwall • R Griswold • Smith • Tomlinson • Peters • Edwards • Foot • Edwards • Ellsworth • Cleveland • RS Baldwin • Toucey • Bissell • Trumbull • Seymour • Pond • Dutton • Minor • Holley • Buckingham • Hawley • English • Jewell • English • Jewell • Ingersoll • Hubbard • Andrews • Bigelow • Waller • Harrison • P Lounsbury • Bulkeley • Morris • Coffin • Cooke • G Lounsbury • McLean • Chamberlain • Roberts • Woodruff • Lilley • Weeks • S. Baldwin • Holcomb • Lake • Templeton • Bingham • JH Trumbull • Cross • R Baldwin • Hurley • R Baldwin • Snow • McConaughy • Shannon • Bowles • Lodge • Ribicoff • Dempsey • Meskill • Grasso • O'Neill • Weicker • Rowland • Rell