Dems Keep Control of General Assembly,
GOP Make Gains in State House
Connecticut voters went to the polls on Election Day after being
deluged with an unprecedented amount of campaign advertising. Led
by self-financed U.S. Senate candidate Linda McMahon, who spent
over $50+ million (likely the most amount of money spent per voter in
a political campaign in American history) it resulted in an
unprecedented amount of political spending. It was also the first time
that many candidates for statewide office used the new public
financing system to run their campaigns.
In the hotly-contested Governor's race, Secretary of the State Susan
Bysiewicz has declared Democrat Dan Malloy the winner. Republican
nominee, Tom Foley, conceded the race and stated that he will not
challenge the results. Foley stated in his press conference that after
investigating the ballot situation and voting in Bridgeport, though
there were irregularities, there was no evidence to support any voter
fraud. He will not proceed with any challenges of the photocopied
ballots nor the ballots cast during the extended hours of voting in
Bridgeport.
As expected, control of both the Connecticut Senate and Connecticut
House of Representatives remained firmly in the hands of the
Democrats. House Republicans exceeded expectations and have picked
up 14 seats. Leadership in both the State Senate and State House of
Representatives will remain the same in most cases. Democrats in the
House have elected Representative Brendan Sharkey as their new
Majority Leader to replace Denise Merrill who was elected Secretary of
State.
In a big surprise, Representative Steve Fontana was defeated in his
race. Having been seen as the heir apparent to the Majority Leader
position, his loss initially threw the leadership race up in the air. The
House Democrats maintained their firm grip on the House by a margin
of 100 to 51, one vote short of a veto proof majority. A few changes in
committee chairmanships are likely to take place.
The Democrats maintain their majority in the Senate at 23-13.
Republicans picked up one seat by defeating a veteran Senate
Democrat. One seat won by the Democrats appears to be headed for a
recount. All other statewide offices were held by Democrats.
In the race for the United States Senate, Richard Blumenthal
defeated Linda McMahon, holding off a late surge by McMahon.
The state’s Congressional Delegation bucked the national trend and
held all five seats in the House of Representatives. Two of those races
were judged toss-ups by national pundits.
The following are the results of the races:
• Governor: Dan Malloy
• Attorney General: George Jepsen a Democrat, won easily over
Republican Martha Dean.
• Treasurer: Denise Nappier, Democrat was re-elected over
Newington Republican Mayor Jeff Wright
• Secretary of the State: Democrat Denise Merrill defeated
Consumer Protection Commissioner Jerry Farrell
• United States Senate: Democrat Richard Blumenthal cruised to a
win over Linda McMahon despite McMahon’s campaign spending
in excess of $50 million. Blumenthal’s 20 years as Attorney
General helped to carry him to victory. The contest was a lot
closer than most observers anticipated when Blumenthal
announced his candidacy last year.
• Congressional: Democratic incumbents, Congressman John Larson
(CT-1), Joe Courtney (CT-2) and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro
(CT-3) cruised to easy victories over their challengers. In two
other contests Democrats faced strong challenges from
Republican candidates. But in the 4th CD, Jim Himes beat back a
strong challenge from State Senator Dan DiBicella and in the 5th
CD incumbent Chris Murphy defeated State Senator Sam
Caligiuri.
• State Senate: Senate Democrats remained in firm control of the
upper Chamber (23-13) but Republicans have picked up one seat by
defeating veteran Senator Tom Colapietro. Democrat Don Williams will
remain Senate President and Senator Martin Looney will continue to
hold the title of Senate Majority Leader. Republican Senator John
McKinney will remain as Minority Leader.
Due to a number of open seats and an upset win, a number of new
members of the State Senate were elected.
• 4th Senatorial: Democrat Steve Casano appears to have one a close
race over Chip Beckett. The result may be headed for a recount.
• 5th Senatorial: State Representative Beth Bye was elected to the
seat formerly held by Jonathan Harris.
• 16th Senatorial: Republican Joe Markley won the seat vacated by
Sam Caligiuri
• 21st Senatorial: Republicans held on to this open seat by electing
Kevin Kelly
• 31st Senatorial: Republican Jason Welch defeated veteran
Democrat Tom Colapietro
Due to the retirement of Senator Harris and the defeat of Senator
Colapietro Chairmanships on the Public Health Committee and the
General Law Committee will be open.
• House of Representatives: The State House of Representatives
remains in the hands of the Democrats. The Republicans have picked
14 seats leaving Democrats without a veto-proof majority. Current
Speaker Chris Donovan, of Meriden, will hold on to the Speaker’s
position. State Representative Brendan Sharkey won the contest for
the Democratic Majority Leader post defeating State Representative
Andrew Fleischmann. Rep. Larry Cafero of Norwalk was reelected
Republican Minority Leader
Republicans at the State House are celebrating significant gains in
the House. Their gain of 14 seats in the House changed the balance
from 114-37 to 100-51, one vote short of a veto proof majority.
The Connecticut General Assembly will convene on January 2.
P.J. Cimini, Esq. is the CCA’s lobbyist and a partner in Capital
Strategies Group, LLC, in Hartford. You can reach P.J. at 860/293-
2581 or email.
