Former Democratic Conn. congressman Ratchford dies
HARTFORD, Conn. — William Ratchford, a former Connecticut congressman who later served in the Clinton administration, has died. He was 76.
Ratchford's wife, Barbara, and fellow Democrats say the former attorney and legislator died Sunday in Arlington, Va., of complications from Parkinson's disease.
Ratchford was a Danbury, Conn., native and had lived in Virginia for many years.
He served six terms in the Connecticut House of Representatives and was the state's commissioner of aging before being elected to Congress in 1978. He held the 5th District seat until Republican John Rowland defeated him in 1984.
Ratchford was also an early mentor to Democrats such as new Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen.
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