Lawrence Joseph DeNardis also known as Lawrence J. DeNardis and Larry DeNardis, is a former U.S. Congressman.

Early life and education

DeNardis was born in New Haven, Connecticut, on March 18, 1938; graduated from Hamden High School, Hamden, Conn., in 1956 and received a B.A. from Holy Cross College in 1960, an M.A. and a Ph.D. from New York University, in 1964 and 1989.

After graduation

He served in the United States Naval Reserve, 1960-1963 and was associate professor at Albertus Magnus College. He was President of the Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges in 1979-1980 after serving in the Connecticut state senate from 1970-1979.

Election and congressional service

DeNardis was elected in the 1980 Ronald Reagan landslide as a Republican to the Ninety-seventh United States Congress (January 3, 1981-January 3, 1983), winning a seat previously held by Democrat Robert Giaimo for 22 years, defeating then-State Senator Joe Lieberman.

During his term in Congress DeNardis was known as a moderate "Gypsy Moth" Republican. He was narrowly upset in a 1982 mid-term election characterized by voter anger over a poor economy and the strong grassroots campaign by Democrat Bruce Morrison, a Clinton classmate at Yale Law School who also won a rematch against DeNardis in 1984, with Reagan again at the top of the ticket. DeNardis was then given a political appointment in the Reagan Administration.

After Congress

He joined the University of New Haven as President from 1991-2004 before becoming President Emeritus. He led a great expansion of programs and facilities during his tenure at the University, including substantial international programs, and has participated in international election monitoring missions.