Joseph Lieberman biography

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Senator. Born Joseph Isador Lieberman on February 24, 1942 in Stamford, Connecticut. Lieberman received his bachelor's degree from Yale College in 1964 and his law degree from Yale Law School in 1967. He was elected to the Connecticut State Senate in 1970 where he served for ten years. In 1980, he returned to private legal practice for two years before serving as Connecticut's Attorney General from 1983 through 1988. After gaining popularity for his consumer and environmental advocacy, Lieberman went on to win his first election to the U.S. Senate in 1988, winning the seat twice more in 1994 and 2000.

The first Orthodox Jew to serve in the Senate, Lieberman, who was relatively conservative in many political positions, achieved a reputation for seriousness of purpose, pragmatic independence, personal integrity, and moral rectitude. During his tenure as Senator, he led the efforts to create the Department of Homeland Security and has been a consistent advocate for using America's military might. On the home front, Lieberman is an advocate for public schools, equal opportunity for college education, affordable health care and campaign finance reform.

In 2000, Lieberman was the Democratic candidate for Vice President alongside Al Gore, and the first Jew named to an American national ticket. In January 2003, he announced his candidacy for the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination.

In 2003, Lieberman sought the Democratic nomination for the 2004 presidential election but withdrew his candidacy after failing to win any of the five primaries. In 2006, he won re-election to the Senate, running as an independent after losing the Democratic primary to Ned Lamont. Lieberman will sit as part of the Democratic caucus in the 110th Congress.

In 2003, Lieberman sought the Democratic nomination for the 2004 presidential election but withdrew his candidacy after failing to win any of the five primaries. In 2006, he won re-election to the Senate, running as an independent after losing the Democratic primary to Ned Lamont. Lieberman serves in the Connecticut senate seat.

Senator Lieberman lives in New Haven and Washington with his wife, Hadassah. They have four children and three granddaughters. He is the author of five books, including In Praise of Public Life (2000) and and An Amazing Adventure (2003).

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