Independent candidate Oz Griebel, left, speaks as Republican…

Independent candidate Oz Griebel, left, speaks as Republican candidate Bob Stefanowski, center, and Democratic candidate Ned Lamont, right, listen during a gubernatorial debate at the University of Connecticut In a debate Wednesday at the University of Connecticut, Griebel, who was barred from the first two debates between Republican Bob Stefanowski and Democrat Ned Lamont because of low polling numbers, shared a stage with the two major party candidates in front of an audience made up, primarily, of millennials. But adding a third candidate to the mix changed the dynamic only slightly - Lamont often addressed Griebel, quoting him on certain issues and even calling him a Republican at one point.

Six memorable moments when John McCain earned a reputation as a ‘maverick’

John McCain, who died Saturday at 81 , will be remembered as many things father, former prisoner of war, U.S. senator, presidential nominee but perhaps his most enduring legacy is captured in a single word: maverick. But how did the Arizona Republican earn the label that has come to define his rise in national politics? We've rounded up some of his most memorable moments in which he showed he was not afraid to stand up for what he believed in.

Inside John McCain’s ‘Three Amigos’ friendship

Shortly after his brain cancer diagnosis, Senator John McCain hiked through Arizona's Oak Creek Canyon with his daughter Meghan and two of his closest friends -- Senator Lindsey Graham and former Senator Joe Lieberman. PHOTO: John McCain checks out the podium angles, along with Sen. Joseph Lieberman and Sen. Lindsey Graham , before the start of the Republican National Convention at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn., Sept.

US to restore sanctions suspended under Obama Iran deal

Former Connecticut senator and chairman of United Against Nuclear Iran praises President Trump for pulling the U.S. out of the Iran nuclear deal, hopes the re-imposition of sanctions will force Tehran back to the negotiating table. The U.S. on Monday will restore major sanctions against Iran that had been suspended under former President Barack Obama's 2015 nuclear deal, threatening to further unravel the Islamic country's already-struggling economy.

Lamont takes his message to Ganim’s Bridgeport

Ned Lamont, right, chats with Willie Murphy, a resident of the Second Stoneridge co-op, during a campaign stop at the co-op on Yaremich Drive in Bridgeport Tuesday. Ned Lamont, right, chats with Willie Murphy, a resident of the Second Stoneridge co-op, during a campaign stop at the co-op on Yaremich Drive in Bridgeport Tuesday.

John McCain gets high-profile visitors

McCain, 81, Former Vice President Joe Biden sat with McCain for 90 minutes Sunday, according to people close to both men. Biden followed McCain's closest friends, Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and retired Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, who visited McCain at the Mayo Clinic two weeks ago.

The Democrats’ Dianne Feinstein problem

"In 2006, anti-war progressive Ned Lamont defeated Joe Lieberman in Connecticut's Democratic primary for U.S. Senate. Lieberman promptly started a 'Connecticut for Lieberman' party and ran as its nominee in the general election, creating a headache for Democrats: Should they support a colleague, or a challenger who best represents the political moment? Senators including Barack Obama and Barbara Boxer sided with Lieberman during the primary, then endorsed Lamont in the general election; others stuck with the third-party Lieberman throughout.

Lieberman: US Not ‘Organized or Prepared’ For Bioattack

President Donald Trump's warning of "fire and fury" against North Korea if it threatens the United States were "strong," former Sen. Joe Lieberman said Wednesday, but he is concerned about Kim Jong-un developing the capability for a bioattack on the United States. "We've tried for years and years, really decades with diplomatic language and a lot else with the North Koreans and it hasn't worked," Lieberman, the co-chairman of the Blue Ribbon Panel on Biodefense, told CNN's "New Day" about Trump's tough talk.

AG opinion strikes middle ground on cutting wages, benefits

A formal opinion released Thursday by Attorney General George Jepsen warns of legal peril in rewriting state-employee contracts through legislation, but notes the free hand legislators have after contracts expire and the flexibility the courts have granted in some cases in the event of extreme fiscal emergencies. The opinion was sought by Democratic leaders in the House of Representatives, which voted along party lines Monday to ratify a deal projected to save the state more than $700 million in the current fiscal year and $800 million in the next.

A Matter of Transparency

Numerous "American friends of" organizations exist in the Jewish communal firmament to help direct funds to worthy causes in Israel. That's what most people thought was the case with an organization known as Aish International - it was generally assumed to be the American fundraising arm of Jerusalem-based Aish HaTorah, the haredi Orthodox outreach group with programs throughout the world.

Joe Lieberman on FBI Director Post: I would have said yes

Moments after James Comey finished his testimony to the Senate Intelligence Committee Thursday, News 8 spoke with former Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman , who was at one point said to be the top candidate to replace Comey as FBI Director . A midtown Manhattan building houses the law firm where former U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman now works.

Trump is reportedly hitting the reset button in his search for a new FBI director

The White House is resetting its search to replace ousted FBI Director James Comey, a senior administration official told CNN Wednesday . Just last week, prior to embarking on his first foreign trip as president, Donald Trump said he was nearing his decision on who he would nominate to replace Comey, whom he fired earlier this month.

Congress back to work while Trump overseas: Budget, Russia

In fact, the nation's legislative branch is still trying to get some work done. Both chambers will be back in session on Monday, and it will be interesting to see if President Donald Trump's long overseas trip will lower the daily drama in Washington or if his international events will lead to more controversies that lawmakers will wake up to each day and have to react.

Richard McFeely withdraws his name for FBI director

Former FBI official Richard McFeely informed the White House Saturday that he wasn't interested in becoming the bureau's next director President Trump interviewed McFeely on Wednesday as he tries to fill the vacancy left by James Comey, who he fired earlier this month McFeely informed the White House he was no longer interested in the position on Saturday citing family considerations, according to reporting from WJLA . McFeely ran the bureau's Criminal, Cyber, Response, and Services Branch for three years before retiring and met with President Trump at the White House to discuss taking over the reins of the FBI last week.

Keating Concerned with One of Trump’s Top Picks for FBI Director

Former Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman gives a 'thumbs-up' as he leaves the West Wing of the White House in Washington Wednesday Besides being Connecticut's US senator for 14 years, Lieberman unsuccessfully ran for the presidency, was Al Gore's running mate and was considered a vice presidential possibility when Sen. According to media reports , the Trump administration is considering four candidates to replace fired FBI Director James Comey. Frank Keating , former FBI official Richard McFeely and acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe .

Trump embarks on his first big foreign trip amid turmoil in U.S.

This copy is for your personal non-commercial use only. To order presentation-ready copies of Toronto Star content for distribution to colleagues, clients or customers, or inquire about permissions/licensing, please go to: Trump is leaving Friday for his first foreign trip, to the Mideast and beyond, and aides had hoped the disarray at home would have been calmed if not resolved by takeoff time.

Trump says he’s ‘very close’ to naming an FBI director

Former Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman gives a 'thumbs-up' as he leaves the West Wing of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The White House says President Donald Trump will be interviewing four potential candidates to lead the FBI.