Former CT Gubernatorial Candidate Dies After Being Hit By Car

HARTFORD, CT — Former two-time gubernatorial candidate Oz Griebel died Wednesday, more than a week after he was hit by a driver while jogging in Pennsylvania. He was 71.

Griebel’s family announced last week that he was hospitalized after being seriously injured on July 21.

“The Griebel family is very appreciative of the outpouring of support they’ve received since the accident and will share information about services once arrangements have been made,” a spokesperson said in a statement. “They continue to ask for privacy at this time.”

Griebel ran for governor as an independent in 2018 and previously ran as a Republican primary candidate in the 2010 gubernatorial election. He also was a former president and CEO of the MetroHartford Alliance.

“Oz Griebel’s heart was with the State of Connecticut – he loved this state and the people who live in it, and he enthusiastically believed that its best days are ahead,” Gov. Ned Lamont said in a statement. “I loved listening to his spirited energy whenever he spoke about the opportunity to make Connecticut and the Hartford region an even better place to live and work. We can all take a page from his commitment to work across the aisle and remove politics from policy. He will be missed, and I extend my deepest sympathy to his family. There is no place like Oz, and there was no one like Oz.”

Bob Stefanowski, who was the Republican candidate for governor in 2018, said he was very sad to hear about Griebel’s death.

“Oz brought incredible energy and passion to each of difficult challenges he took on,” Stefanowski wrote in a post on Twitter. “He was a terrific person, worked tirelessly for our state, and will truly be missed.”

Griebel had been serving as chairman of SAM-CT, which is part of the Serve America Movement, and has called on Democrats and Republicans to open up their primaries to unaffiliated voters.

Monte Frank, Griebel’s 2018 running mate, and David Jolly released the following statement on behalf of the SAM team:

“Oz was and always will be the vision of courage, a man of passion and integrity, and the epitome of a leader. He represented the best and the brightest. Oz’ legacy will endure in all of us as we carry forward his mission to improve our democracy and the lives of all people. In the days ahead, please keep Oz and his family in your thoughts and prayers. We are all blessed to have known such a wonderful and inspirational man.”

Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz said Griebel “lived and breathed Hartford.”

“Oz was a ray of positivity, a fierce advocate for businesses, and a kind soul,” Bysiewicz said. “He brought creative ideas and civility to public life. As the former CEO of the MetroHartford Alliance, he worked tirelessly to ensure the City of Hartford was home to top-tier talent and some of the best business and industry leaders. He will be missed greatly. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”