Connecticut gubernatorial election, 2018 (August 14 Republican primary)
- General election: Nov. 6
- Voter registration deadline: Oct. 30 (by mail), or Nov. 6 (in-person)
- Early voting: N/A
- Absentee voting deadline: Nov. 5
- Online registration: Yes
- Same-day registration: Yes
- Voter ID: Non-photo ID required
- Poll times: 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
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| Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut |
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| Democratic primary Republican primary General election |
| Election details |
| Filing deadline: June 12, 2018 |
| Primary: August 14, 2018 General: November 6, 2018 Pre-election incumbent(s): Gov. Dan Malloy (Democrat) Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman (Democrat) |
| How to vote |
| Poll times: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voting in Connecticut |
| Race ratings |
Sabato's Crystal Ball: Lean Democratic Inside Elections: Lean Democratic |
| Ballotpedia analysis |
| Federal and state primary competitiveness State executive elections in 2018 Impact of term limits in 2018 State government trifectas State government triplexes Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2018 |
| Connecticut executive elections |
| Governor Lieutenant governor |
Businessman Bob Stefanowski (R) won the Republican gubernatorial primary. Stefanowski received 29.4 percent of the vote to Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton's (R) 21.3 percent.
The two were among five candidates seeking the nomination in the August 14 primary.
Stefanowski touted his outsider status and business experience. His central policy objective was an economic recovery plan which included a policy of zero-based budgeting as well as privatization of the Department of Motor Vehicles. The plan, which was endorsed by Ronald Reagan economic adviser Dr. Arthur Laffer, also included investments in infrastructure as well as policies intended to encourage senior citizens and recent university graduates to remain in the state.[1][2]
As the winner of the Republican Party of Connecticut's official endorsement, Boughton received top billing on the primary ballot. He ran on a promise of a new direction for the state, emphasizing the theme of Connecticut's comeback. He pointed to his nine terms as mayor of Danbury as a model for his statewide policy objectives, calling for increased investment in education and an emphasis on economic growth. Among Boughton's policy proposals was a plan to phase out the state income tax.[3][4]
Trumbull First Selectman Tim Herbst (R) also referred to his record in municipal government, arguing that in his eight years as first selectman Trumbull changed "from a town on the brink of financial ruin to one of the most prosperous, well-managed municipalities in the state."[5] Herbst's platform included the repeal of the state's income tax for those making $75,000 or less annually, support for the state's defense industry, and public safety initiatives.[6]
Businessman Steve Obsitnik (R) emphasized his status as a political outsider and a veteran of the U.S. Navy, promising "bold ideas, an entrepreneurial mentality and true leadership."[7] Obsitnik's campaign website highlighted his jobs plan, which promised to add 300,000 jobs in eight years.[8] Obsitnik's other policy proposals included a nearly $100 billion infrastructure spending plan which would store funds in a lockbox as well as increased funding for opioid recovery.[9]
Like Obsitnik and Stefanowski, David Stemerman (R) argued that a political outsider with a business background was needed to manage the state. Stemerman's platform pointed to policies which he argued other states have adopted successfully in the past, referencing Michigan's tax and regulatory structures, Washington's use of priority-based budgeting, and Massachusetts' education policies.[10] Stemerman also called for changes to the state's pension structure and increased investment in infrastructure.[11]
The state had an all-Democratic congressional delegation and was carried by the Democratic candidate in every presidential election since 1992, including by a 13.5 percent margin in 2016. However, political strategists identified the governorship as one of the Republican Party's most promising pickup opportunities nationwide, pointing to incumbent Dannel Malloy's (D) 21 percent approval rating and the results of the 2016 state legislative elections, which saw Democrats lose their majority in the state senate.[12][13]
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State overview
Partisan control
This section details the partisan control of federal and state positions in Connecticut heading into the 2018 elections.
Congressional delegation
- Following the 2016 elections, Democrats held both U.S. Senate seats in Connecticut.
- Democrats held all five U.S. House seats in Connecticut.
State executives
- As of August 2018, Democrats held six of 12 state executive positions, the remaining six positions were officially nonpartisan.
- The governor of Connecticut was Democrat Dan Malloy. The state held elections for governor and lieutenant governor on November 6, 2018.
State legislature
- Democrats controlled both chambers of the Connecticut General Assembly. They had a 80-71 majority in the state House and a 18-18 majority in the state Senate.
Trifecta status
- Connecticut was one of eight Democratic trifectas, meaning that Democrats controlled the office of the governor, the state House, and the state Senate.
2018 elections
- See also: Connecticut elections, 2018
Connecticut held elections for the following positions in 2018:
- One U.S. Senate seat
- Five U.S. House seats
- Governor and lieutenant governor
- Four lower state executive positions
- 36 state Senate seats
- 151 state House seats
Demographics
| Demographic data for Connecticut | ||
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | U.S. | |
| Total population: | 3,584,730 | 316,515,021 |
| Land area (sq mi): | 4,842 | 3,531,905 |
| Race and ethnicity** | ||
| White: | 77.3% | 73.6% |
| Black/African American: | 10.3% | 12.6% |
| Asian: | 4.2% | 5.1% |
| Native American: | 0.2% | 0.8% |
| Pacific Islander: | 0% | 0.2% |
| Two or more: | 2.8% | 3% |
| Hispanic/Latino: | 14.7% | 17.1% |
| Education | ||
| High school graduation rate: | 89.9% | 86.7% |
| College graduation rate: | 37.6% | 29.8% |
| Income | ||
| Median household income: | $70,331 | $53,889 |
| Persons below poverty level: | 12.2% | 11.3% |
| Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015) Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Connecticut. **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here. | ||
As of July 2016, Connecticut's three largest cities were Bridgeport (pop. est. 146,579), New Haven (pop. est. 131,014), and Stamford (pop. est. 130,824).[14][15]
State election history
This section provides an overview of federal and state elections in Connecticut from 2000 to 2016. All data comes from the Connecticut Secretary of State.
Historical elections
Presidential elections, 2000-2016
This chart shows the results of the presidential election in Connecticut every year from 2000 to 2016.
| Election results (President of the United States), Connecticut 2000-2016 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | First-place candidate | First-place candidate votes (%) | Second-place candidate | Second-place candidate votes (%) | Margin of victory (%) |
| 2016 | 54.6% | 40.9% | 13.7% | ||
| 2012 | 58.1% | 40.8% | 17.3% | ||
| 2008 | 60.6% | 38.2% | 22.4% | ||
| 2004 | 54.3% | 43.9% | 10.4% | ||
| 2000 | 55.9% | 38.4% | 17.5% | ||
U.S. Senate elections, 2000-2016
This chart shows the results of U.S. Senate races in Connecticut from 2000 to 2016. Every state has two Senate seats, and each seat goes up for election every six years. The terms of the seats are staggered so that roughly one-third of the seats are up every two years.
| Election results (U.S. Senator), Connecticut 2000-2016 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | First-place candidate | First-place candidate votes (%) | Second-place candidate | Second-place candidate votes (%) | Margin of victory (%) |
| 2016 | 63.2% | 34.6% | 28.6% | ||
| 2012 | 54.8% | 43.1% | 11.7% | ||
| 2010 | 55.2% | 43.2% | 12% | ||
| 2006 | 49.7% | 39.7% | 12.2% | ||
| 2004 | 66.4% | 32.1% | 34.3% | ||
| 2002 | 63.2% | 34.2% | 29% | ||
Gubernatorial elections, 2000-2016
This chart shows the results of the four gubernatorial elections held between 2000 and 2016. Gubernatorial elections are held every four years in Connecticut.
| Election results (Governor), Connecticut 2000-2016 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | First-place candidate | First-place candidate votes (%) | Second-place candidate | Second-place candidate votes (%) | Margin of victory (%) |
| 2014 | 50.7% | 48.2% | 2.5% | ||
| 2010 | 49.5% | 49% | .5% | ||
| 2006 | 63.2% | 35.5% | 27.7% | ||
| 2002 | 56.1% | 43.9% | 12.2% | ||
Congressional delegation, 2000-2016
This chart shows the number of Democrats and Republicans who were elected to represent Connecticut in the U.S. House from 2000 to 2016. Elections for U.S. House seats are held every two years.
| Congressional delegation, Connecticut 2000-2016 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Republicans | Republicans (%) | Democrats | Democrats (%) | Balance of power |
| 2016 | 0% | 100% | D+5 | ||
| 2014 | 0% | 100% | D+5 | ||
| 2012 | 0% | 100% | D+5 | ||
| 2010 | 0% | 100% | D+5 | ||
| 2008 | 36.8% | 100% | D+5 | ||
| 2006 | 20% | 80% | D+4 | ||
| 2004 | 60% | 40% | R+1 | ||
| 2002 | 60% | 40% | R+1 | ||
| 2000 | 40% | 60.0% | D+1 | ||
Trifectas, 1992-2017
A state government trifecta occurs when one party controls both chambers of the state legislature and the governor's office.
Connecticut Party Control: 1992-2025
Fifteen years of Democratic trifectas • No Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.
| Year | 92 | 93 | 94 | 95 | 96 | 97 | 98 | 99 | 00 | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Governor | I | I | I | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D |
| Senate | D | D | D | R | R | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D |
| House | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D |
See also
Democratic primaries • Republican primaries
- U.S. Senate
- U.S. House
- Governor
- Attorney General
- Secretary of State
- State executive offices
- State Senate
- State House
- Special state legislative
- Local judges
- State ballot measures
- School boards
- How to run for office
Footnotes
- ↑ Bob Stefanowski for Governor, "Bob's Economic Plan to Rebuild Connecticut," accessed July 10, 2018
- ↑ Bob Stefanowski for Governor, "Issues," accessed July 10, 2018
- ↑ Boughton for Governor, "Home," accessed July 10, 2018
- ↑ Boughton for Governor, "On the Issues," accessed July 10, 2018
- ↑ Tim for Connecticut, "Home," accessed July 10, 2018
- ↑ Tim for Connecticut, "Tim on the Issues," accessed July 10, 2018
- ↑ Steve Obsitnik for Governor, "Home," accessed July 10, 2018
- ↑ Obsitnik for Governor, "Steve's Jobs Plan," accessed July 10, 2018
- ↑ Steve Obsitnik for Governor, "Issues," accessed July 10, 2018
- ↑ David Stemerman for Governor, "Meet David," accessed July 10, 2018
- ↑ David Stemerman for Governor, "Issues," accessed July 10, 2018
- ↑ Governing, "Can Democrats Flip Crucial Governors' Seats?" March 30, 2018
- ↑ FiveThirtyEight, "The 7 Governorships Republicans Could Pick Up This Year," February 12, 2018
- ↑ Cubit, "Connecticut by Population," accessed August 30, 2018
- ↑ U.S. Census Bureau, "Quickfacts Connecticut," accessed August 30, 2018
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