Connecticut lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2018 (August 14 Democratic primary)

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Connecticut lieutenant gubernatorial election
Primary date:
August 14, 2018
Democratic primary
Republican primary
General election date:
November 6, 2018
Winner:
TBD
Incumbent prior to election:
Nancy Wyman (D)
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State executive offices
State legislature
Connecticut state executive elections
Top ballot
Governor • Lieutenant governor • Attorney general • Secretary of state
Down ballot
Treasurer • Comptroller

Longtime Connecticut politician Susan Bysiewicz defeated labor organizer Eva Bermudez Zimmerman in the August 14 lieutenant gubernatorial primary.

The two candidates came from different wings of the party. Bysiewicz backed Hillary Clinton in the 2016 Democratic presidential primary, while Bermudez Zimmerman supported Bernie Sanders.[1]

Bermudez Zimmerman said she represented young minorities from working-class backgrounds increasing their clout in the Democratic Party. She emphasized her experience in labor activism, saying it prepared her to address the problems of working-class families.[2]

Bysiewicz said she held similar policy positions to Bermudez Zimmerman and that her experience in the state legislature (1993-1998) and as secretary of state (1999-2010) prepared her to take over as governor, if necessary. Between 1945 and 2006, six governors could not complete their terms and were replaced by their lieutenant governor.[3][4]

Bysiewicz was endorsed by the Connecticut Democratic Party at its May 19 state convention. However, Bermudez Zimmerman, who entered the race just two days before, received 40 percent of the vote and won a place on the Democratic ballot without having to collect petition signatures.[5]

Our Revolution, the Connecticut branches of the AFL-CIO and the Working Families Party, and more than 20 state legislators endorsed Bermudez Zimmerman. Gubernatorial candidate Ned Lamont (D) and over 60 local officials and state legislators supported Bysiewicz.[6]

Bysiewicz ran as the party's lieutenant gubernatorial nominee on a joint ticket with Lamont, the gubernatorial primary winner, in the general election.

Bysiewicz was running in the gubernatorial primary but dropped out when Lamont asked her to run to be his running mate. Lamont’s chief rival, Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim, asked Bermudez Zimmerman to campaign as his running mate but she declined.[7][2]

In addition to taking over for the governor if he or she can no longer serve, Connecticut’s lieutenant governor presides over the Connecticut State Senate and can cast tie-breaking votes. After the 2016 elections, the state Senate was split 18-18 and Lieutenant Gov. Nancy Wyman (D) was the tie-breaking vote. She sided with Democrats to pass a labor concessions agreement in July 2017.[8]


Candidates and election results

Susan Bysiewicz defeated Eva Zimmerman in the Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut on August 14, 2018.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Susan-Bysiewicz.jpg
Susan Bysiewicz
 
62.2
 
130,451
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Eva_Zimmerman.jpg
Eva Zimmerman
 
37.8
 
79,281

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 209,732
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Candidate Profiles

Democratic Party Eva Bermudez Zimmerman

Eva Zimmerman.jpg

Campaign website Facebook Twitter

Bermudez Zimmerman, an organizer for the Service Employees International Union, entered the lieutenant gubernatorial primary just days before the May 19 state convention. She and her supporters argued that the party needed more racial and age diversity on its gubernatorial ticket and that her experience in labor activism helped her connect her with working-class families.[2] She won 40 percent of the delegate vote at the convention and, thus, received a spot on the primary ballot without having to collect petition signatures.[5] She was endorsed by Our Revolution, the Connecticut Working Families Party, and the Connecticut AFL-CIO.[9]

Bermudez Zimmerman's supporters said that she would inspire young minority voters to support the party in November. Zimmerman said that the primary was about more than her skin color and that she was motivated to run because of her experience with working-class families. She said, “I do not just doorknock. I represent policies. I represent change. I embody this. I live this. This is not a paycheck. This is my life.” She declined an offer by Democratic gubernatorial candidate Joe Ganim to run on a joint-ticket, saying she would run with whichever Democrat won the gubernatorial nomination.[2]

Before working as a labor activist, Bermudez Zimmerman served on the Newtown legislative council. She unsuccessfully ran for the Connecticut House of Representatives in 2016. Her parents came to the mainland United States from Puerto Rico. When she was 2 years old, she was a plaintiff in Sheff v. O'Neill, a Connecticut Supreme Court decision that said the state's school districting plan discriminated against racial and ethnic minorities.[1]

Democratic Party Susan Bysiewicz

Susan Bysiewicz.jpeg

Campaign website Facebook Twitter

After serving as a state representative and secretary of state from 1992 to 2010, Bysiewicz attempted to reenter state government as lieutenant governor. She was originally running in the gubernatorial election, but another Democratic candidate, businessman Ned Lamont, asked her to run for lieutenant governor so she could be on the same general election ticket as him. She was endorsed by the state Democratic Party after receiving 60 percent of delegate votes at the state convention.[5]

Bysiewicz emphasized her experience in government and said she would be ready to take over the executive branch if the sitting governor could not complete his term in office. She also said she could help with job creation and help the state improve its fiscal standing.[7][2] Her campaign website emphasized her support for promoting small businesses, guaranteeing gender pay equity, increasing the minimum wage, and increasing education and infrastructure spending.[10]

Bysiewicz was elected as a state representative in 1992 and as Connecticut Secretary of State in 1998, where she served until 2010. After leaving office, she became a business lawyer. She attempted to run for attorney general in 2010 but was disqualified for not meeting the qualifications for office. She was defeated by Chris Murphy (D) in the 2012 U.S. Senate Democratic primary. She received her bachelor's degree from Yale University and her J.D. from Duke University.[3][4]

List of candidates

Democratic Party Democratic primary candidates


Did not make the ballot:

Timeline

  • August 2, 2018: Bysiewicz and Bermudez Zimmerman met in a debate. See full coverage here and here.
  • July 31, 2018: Bermudez Zimmerman announced endorsements from 21 members of the state legislature. Bysiewicz announced endorsements from a group of 40 state legislators and local officials.[11]
  • July 25, 2018: Bermudez Zimmerman qualified for a $406,275 public grant to finance her campaign. Bysciewicz already received a similar grant.[12]
  • July 19, 2018: Bysiewicz and Bermudez Zimmerman met in a debate alongside the gubernatorial candidates. See full coverage here.

Endorsements

Democratic candidate endorsements
Endorsement Date Bysiewicz Bermudez Zimmerman
Individuals
State Rep. Kim Rose[13] July 31, 2018 ✔
State Rep. Joe Gresko[13] July 31, 2018 ✔
State Rep. Phillip Young[13] July 31, 2018 ✔
State Rep. Mary Mushinsky [13] July 31, 2018 ✔
State Rep. Linda Gentile[13] July 31, 2018 ✔
State Rep. Lonnie Reed[13] July 31, 2018 ✔
Milford Mayor Ben Blake[13] July 31, 2018 ✔
Hamden Mayor Curtis Leng[13] July 31, 2018 ✔
West Haven Mayor Nancy Rossi[13] July 31, 2018 ✔
Guilford First Selectman Matt Hoey[13] July 31, 2018 ✔
Bethany First Selectman Derrylyn H. Gorski[14] July 31, 2018 ✔
State Rep. Robyn Porters[14] July 31, 2018 ✔
State Rep. Josh Elliott[14] July 31, 2018 ✔
State Sen. Martin Looney[14] July 31, 2018 ✔
East Hartford Mayor Marcia Leclerc[3] July 16, 2018 ✔
State Sen. Tim Larson[7] July 16, 2018 ✔
South Windsor Mayor Saud Anwar[7] July 16, 2018 ✔
Bristol Mayor Ellen Zoppo-Sassu[7] July 16, 2018 ✔
State Sen. Mae Flexer[15] May 29, 2018 ✔
State Rep. Chris Soto[2] May 18, 2018 ✔
Hamden Councilman Justin Farmer[2] May 18, 2018 ✔
New Haven Board of Education Joseph Rodriguez[2] May 18, 2018 ✔
State Rep. Edwin Vargas[2] May 18, 2018 ✔
State Sen. Gary Winfield[16] May 17, 2018 ✔
Ned Lamont[17] May 15, 2018 ✔
Organizations
Connecticut Working Families Party[9] July 11, 2018 ✔
Connecticut AFL-CIO[18] June 22, 2018 ✔
Our Revolution[19] June 5, 2018 ✔
Connecticut Democratic Party[5] May 19, 2018 ✔
Service Employees International Union[20] Unknown ✔

Campaign themes and policy stances

Campaign issues from the candidates' websites are listed below if available.

Susan Bysiewicz

Bysiewicz's campaign website stated the following:

“

Jobs and the Economy
Far too many young people and families in Connecticut find that they have to leave the state in order to find high-quality jobs. We need to create a more welcoming environment that fosters entrepreneurship and small businesses here in Connecticut. With a track record of helping more than 80 small businesses raise tens of millions dollars in funding and creating hundreds of good-paying jobs, I have the experience to bring businesses and jobs to Connecticut. We also need to make sure that every job is a quality job -- which is why I strongly support expanding apprenticeships and job training programs.

Balance the Budget
I believe in cutting wasteful spending and closing the budget gap. Governors of both parties and legislatures controlled by both parties have maxed out our state's credit cards. Businesses will only come to Connecticut from out of state if we have a predictable budget and a well-governed state. Passing a fair and balanced budget that is on time will be my top priority.

Environment
The science is clear -- climate change is a serious threat facing our planet. We need a state government that accepts this reality and works to reduce our carbon output, our state's high energy costs, and support sustainable energy. Additionally, Connecticut should be a leader in sustainable energy, and I will work with state legislative leaders and our Congressional delegation in Washington, DC to ensure that we are doing everything possible to position our state to be at the forefront of the burgeoning green revolution.

Equal Pay
With women making 83 cents for every dollar a man makes in Connecticut, we are doing better than most of the country. But we have to do more, especially when you consider that African-American women in our state make only 59 cents for every dollar a male makes and Latina women only make 48 cents. I promise to stand up for women's rights and equal pay. I will not rest until every woman earns as much as her male peers, regardless of race, ethnicity, family status, or salary history.

Health Care
One of my top priorities will be to ensure that all of our state's residents have access to quality and affordable health care coverage. I will support legislation that aims to reduce drug costs, I will support community hospitals, and I will support policies which move us closer to what I think should be the long-term goal for health care reform -- implementing a public option, single-payer system for Connecticut residents. Also, I will treat the opioid epidemic like the crisis that it is, and direct resources to support better information sharing among health care providers, strengthen the states prescription drug monitoring program, improve treatment programs, and help to get prescription naloxone in more community spaces to help prevent drug overdoses.

Honor Our Veterans
Our Armed Servicemen and women sacrifice so much to keep us safe, it is imperative that government work just as hard to serve them as veterans. That is why I support programs to help veterans find jobs and housing, and why I support increased access to mental healthcare for veterans, so these brave servicemen and women can build a life in Connecticut and support their families.

Invest in Infrastructure
We must increase our investment in the state’s infrastructure. This includes “bricks and mortar” projects, such as roads, bridges, dams, rail, and schools, as well as expanding high speed internet into every community in Connecticut. These projects will help attract larger employers, and they will also make it easier for our essential home-grown businesses to expand and increase their workforces. If the legislature passes tolls in Connecticut, I strongly support reducing the gas tax, which is one of our most outdated and regressive taxes. Connecticut has fallen to 41st out of 50 states in transportation infrastructure according to US News and World Report. This is not acceptable and it costs our state jobs. I strongly encourage all Connecticut voters to support the state transportation “lockbox” initiative that will appear on the ballot this November. It is essential for the future of Connecticut, and will help convince potential employers that our state is serious about investing in the necessary improvements to our infrastructure that will make our state a better place to do business.

Keep our Young People in Connecticut
It is critical that we keep young people and families in Connecticut. We can do that by strengthening the pipeline from our high schools, community and technical colleges, and our state colleges and universities. Our students should know that when they graduate there will be a good-paying job waiting for them, right here in Connecticut. One of my priorities will be building partnerships with local businesses and our educational institutions so that our employers have the talent they need, right here. That is why I strongly support bringing businesses and our education system together to increase access to apprenticeships and job training. Also, that is why I support current efforts to raise the state minimum wage and I will fight for paid family leave for all workers.

Make Colleges More Affordable
We need to make college more affordable and invest in high quality education. Rising tuition costs and oppressive student debt are holding our young people and families back. Every student in Connecticut who has the grades to go to college should have access to college, regardless of their financial situation. That’s why I support free community college for those with financial need and have a plan to pay for it.

Organized Labor
It is unquestioned that America is strongest when our middle class is thriving, and data clearly shows that the middle class thrives when unions are strong. It is no coincidence that the decades-long Republican war on unions has directly contributed to the ever-increasing income disparity in our country, and the systematic undermining of the middle class. Republicans offer many reasons for their actions, but it all comes down to one word: greed. This alarming concentration of wealth to the top 1% of our country also has a chilling effect on democracy. It allows the ultra-rich to buy elections and exert ever greater control over administrative and judicial appointments, most of which are hostile to organized labor.

I will support the right of unions to organize, to engage in collective bargaining, and to participate in the political process. I also recognize that as we seek to rebuild Connecticut’s economy, organized labor is a valuable partner in everything from economic growth to restructuring our existing debt.

Protect LGBTQ Equality
Connecticut has been at the forefront of protecting marriage equality and civil rights. Currently, however, we have an administration in Washington that is clearly more interested in rolling back hard-fought civil rights protections for LGBTQ Americans than expanding them. I will ensure that Connecticut continues to lead on these issues while shielding our LGBTQ community from any discriminatory actions the federal government takes.

Protect Seniors
We need to make sure that Connecticut remains an affordable place to live for senior citizens heading into their retirement years. I will work hard on issues affecting senior citizens, including protecting them from predatory reverse mortgage schemes. I will fight to make sure that Social Security income and pension payments for all residents earning $75,000 or less and households under $100,000 remain untaxed. Additionally, I will implore Congress to continue funding Medicare and social security, so senior citizens have the resources they need to stay in their homes and live full, happy lives.

Reduce Gun Violence
Gun violence has reached epidemic proportions in this country. It is time to move past rhetoric and find common ground. Hunting rifles are not the problem, semi-automatic assault weapons that are designed to hunt and kill dozens of humans at a time and ghost guns are. Banning bump stocks, creating stronger background checks, and providing increased funding for mental health services can keep our families safer without infringing on the rights of law-abiding citizens. It’s true that one state can’t do it alone, but Connecticut can lead the way!

Rural Connecticut
Having grown up on a farm in Middletown, I understand how important it is that every community in our state feels heard and represented in Hartford. That is why I will fight for good schools, jobs, and healthcare in our rural towns just as hard as I fight for our cities and suburbs, starting with better broadband internet speeds and accessibility. I will also fight for farmers, by working with the legislature and the United States Congress to ensure they are working on an equal playing field with farmers in neighboring states.

Support STEM Education
Connecticut is a nationally recognized leader in bioscience, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing. The Brookings Institute ranks Bridgeport, Stamford, and Norwalk among the country's top advanced industry hotspots. Connecticut's bioscience sector is "projected to create more than 16,000 new permanent jobs in the state and generate additional personal income of $4.6 billion by 2037," according to the Hartford Business Journal. Additionally, industries such as aerospace engineering and advanced manufacturing are rapidly expanding in our state. Therefore, we must expand STEM education as well as the number of students – both male and female – studying computer science and coding. Women and minorities are still underrepresented in these areas. We must work with educators, employers, and the General Assembly to increase the number of students taking computer science at all levels.

Women’s Health
I’ve been a champion for women’s health throughout my career. As a State Representative, I’m proud to have written legislation to ban “drive-through” mastectomies and ensure that women being treated for breast cancer had proper care. As Secretary of the State, I fought to help small business owners get access to more affordable health care. With both healthcare and reproductive access under threat from the current administration, Connecticut needs a staunch advocate leading the fight against any loss of access or coverage. [21]

”
—Susan Bysiewicz’s campaign website (2018)[22]

Campaign strategies and tactics

Campaign advertisements

Eva Bermudez Zimmerman

Support
"Together" Eva Bermudez Zimmerman campaign ad released August 9, 2018

Susan Bysiewicz

Support
"Growing Our Small Businesses," Susan Bysiewicz digital ad released August 8, 2018

Campaign finance

Campaign finance figures as of July 24, 2018
Candidate Contributions Expenditures Cash on hand
Eva Bermudez Zimmerman $65,318.60 $50,293.58 $15,025.02
Susan Bysiewicz $492,367.88 $421,714.21 $70,653.67

Campaign finance records retrieved from Connecticut Secretary of State

Update: On July 25, Bermudez Zimmerman qualified for a $406,275 public grant to finance her campaign. Bysciewicz already received a similar grant.[12]

Noteworthy events

Debates and forums

August 2 debate

An August 2 debate revealed policy differences between the candidates and each pursued lines of attack.

Bermudez Zimmerman said Bysiewicz had made the state's fiscal problems worse during her time in public office and that she should make way for a new generation of leaders. Bermudez Zimmerman said she would address the state's budget deficit by increasing taxes on big box and chain stores.[23][24]

In response, Bysiewicz emphasized her experience and said, "I've been fighting the status quo since I came to state government." She said she would address the budget deficit by ending the carried interest tax benefit for hedge fund managers.[6]

Both candidates said they supported legalizing marijuana and moving toward more regionalization of municipal services.[25]

Media coverage

  • Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant (July 29, 2018): "Bermudez Zimmerman's supporters and some political analysts point to an upset in a Congressional primary in New York — where 10-term incumbent Joe Crowley lost to a 28-year-old Democratic newcomer — as evidence of a broader trend of the party’s liberal base looking for new, more diverse faces. Both Bermudez Zimmerman and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who defeated Crowley, are Latina.
'We saw an upset in New York, and I think there’s a real possibility of an upset in the lieutenant governor’s primary as well,' said Sacred Heart University political science professor Gary Rose. 'Bysiewicz, I think, still has the edge. But I think there are some Democratic voters who could be inspired by what happened in New York to go to the polls on Aug. 14 and vote for Zimmerman,’’ Rose said. “The top of the ticket is very white, and those messages in an era of identity politics might bring voters to the polls who normally don’t have an interest in a primary.'
When asked if she views herself as a Democratic 'establishment' figure after decades in public life, Bysiewicz responded, 'I haven’t served a day with Dan Malloy, and I’ve been out in the private sector over the past seven years, helping more than 80 small, Connecticut-based companies across the state create thousands of good-paying jobs. … I am very proud of my record as secretary of the state and as state representative.'...'The beautiful thing about primaries is this: that voters have the opportunity to choose,' Bysiewicz said. 'I would just draw a distinction between our state’s demographic and population. It’s just different than the district in New York. … That’s one Congressional district with a different set of demographics. This is a statewide primary with a much bigger primary electorate.'
Bermudez Zimmerman said the movement in the Democratic Party is not based on age — adding that 76-year-old Bernie Sanders is not young. Instead, she said the momentum is based on issues and being 'a candidate who understands middle-class reality.' 'I am a unique candidate,' Bermudez Zimmerman said. 'I am a fresh voice. That’s why people are attracted.'...With all the political prognostications and references to national trends, the outcome could be decided by the best political ground game and the candidate who best gets her message out. 'Voter turnout,' Bermudez Zimmerman said, repeating the key words. 'Voter turnout. I come across people who don’t know there’s a primary. You just have to go out and vote, and that’s what really matters in this race.'
Bysiewicz supported Hillary Clinton in the 2016 Democratic presidential primary, helping to raise more than $250,000 for her campaign. But she rejects comparisons of herself to Clinton. 'I think I have a different kind of background,' Bysiewicz said. 'My background is service in our state government that I’m very proud of and also service to more than 80 Connecticut companies who are out there creating thousands of good jobs,' she added, referring to her recent private sector experience as an attorney. Former state Democratic chairman John Droney predicted a strong turnout on primary day by liberals in a party that is moving 'very far to the left' when compared to the past. He predicted a close race where Bysiewicz will prevail. Democrats 'are enraged by the fact that Trump won and feel their voices should be heard,' Droney said. 'They were too complacent and let Hillary lose, and they’re not going to let that happen again.'"[20]

Context of the 2018 election

Heading into the election, the sitting lieutenant governor was Nancy Wyman (D), who was first elected in 2010 and was re-elected in 2014.

Heading into the election, Connecticut was under Democratic trifecta control and was a Democratic triplex. It became a trifecta when Gov. Dan Malloy (D) took office in 2011.

Connecticut was won by the Democratic candidate in each of the past five presidential elections. The widest margin of victory was Barack Obama's 22 percent margin in 2008 while the narrowest was John Kerry's ten percent margin in 2004.

Past elections

2014

See also: Connecticut gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2014

Nancy Wyman ran for re-election as lieutenant governor of Connecticut in the 2014 election. Wyman was unopposed in the Democratic primary.[26]

Voter information

How the primary works

A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate whom they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. Connecticut utilizes a closed primary system, in which only registered party members may vote in a party's primary.[27][28][29]

For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.

Poll times

In Connecticut, all polling places are open from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Election Day. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote.[30]

Registration requirements

Check your voter registration status here.

To vote in Connecticut, one must be a U.S. citizen and Connecticut resident who will be at least 18 years old before Election Day.[31]

Registration applications can be submitted online or completed via paper forms. Same-day registration is available in Connecticut, but must be completed at designated election-day registration locations in each town.[32]

Automatic registration

Connecticut automatically registers eligible individuals to vote through the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Online registration

See also: Online voter registration

Connecticut has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.

Same-day registration

Connecticut allows same-day voter registration.

Residency requirements

To register to vote in Connecticut, you must be a resident of the state. State law does not specify a length of time for which you must have been a resident to be eligible.

Verification of citizenship

See also: Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States

Connecticut does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration.

Verifying your registration

The site Voter Registration Lookup, run by the Connecticut Secretary of State office, allows residents to check their voter registration status online.

Voter ID requirements

Connecticut requires voters to present non-photo identification while voting.[33]

The following list of accepted ID was current as of April 2023. Click here for the Connecticut Secretary of State's page on accepted ID to ensure you have the most current information.

First-time voters who registered by mail must present one of the following forms of identification to vote in an election with federal candidates on the ballot:

  • Copy of a current and valid photo identification with the voter’s name and address, or
  • Copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document that shows the voter’s name and address.

Other voters must present one of the following forms of identification:

  • Social security card, or
  • Pre-printed form of identification that shows the voter's name and address, name and signature, or name and photograph.

Early voting

Connecticut permits early voting. Learn more by visiting this website.

Governor Ned Lamont (D) signed Public Act 23-5 into law on June 7, 2023. The law, which went into effect on July 1, 2023, implemented in-person early voting for elections occurring after January 1, 2024.[34] The length of the early voting period varies based on the type of election. Fourteen days of early voting are required for general elections, seven days are required for most primaries, and four days are required for special elections and presidential preference primaries. Each municipality was required to establish at least one early voting location.[35]

In 2022, Connecticut voters approved a legislatively referred constitutional amendment allowing the Connecticut General Assembly to pass laws providing for in-person early voting.

Early voting permits citizens to cast ballots in person at a polling place prior to an election. In states that permit no-excuse early voting, a voter does not have to provide an excuse for being unable to vote on Election Day. States that allow voters to cast no-excuse absentee ballots in person are counted as no-excuse early voting states.


Absentee voting

Connecticut voters are eligible to vote absentee in an election if they cannot make it to the polls on election day for one of the following reasons:[36]

  • Active military service
  • Absence from town of residence during voting hours
  • Illness or physical disability
  • Religious beliefs precluding secular activity on election day
  • Performance of duties as an election official at a different polling place during voting hours

An absentee ballot must be returned either in person by close of business the day before the election or by mail. If returned by mail, the ballot must be received by close of polls on election day.[36]


State overview

Partisan control

This section details the partisan control of federal and state positions in Connecticut heading into the 2018 elections.

Congressional delegation

State executives

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:

Demographics

Demographic data for Connecticut
 ConnecticutU.S.
Total population:3,584,730316,515,021
Land area (sq mi):4,8423,531,905
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).[37][38]

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 Democratic Party Hillary Clinton 54.6% Republican Party Donald Trump 40.9% 13.7%
2012 Democratic Party Barack Obama 58.1% Republican Party Mitt Romney 40.8% 17.3%
2008 Democratic Party Barack Obama 60.6% Republican Party John McCain 38.2% 22.4%
2004 Democratic Party John Kerry 54.3% Republican Party George W. Bush 43.9% 10.4%
2000 Democratic Party Al Gore 55.9% Republican Party George W. Bush 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 Democratic Party Richard Blumenthal 63.2% Republican Party Dan Carter 34.6% 28.6%
2012 Democratic Party Christopher Murphy 54.8% Republican Party Linda McMahon 43.1% 11.7%
2010 Democratic Party Richard Blumenthal 55.2% Republican Party Linda McMahon 43.2% 12%
2006 Grey.png Joe Lieberman (I) 49.7% Democratic Party Ned Lamont 39.7% 12.2%
2004 Democratic Party Chris Dodd 66.4% Republican Party Jack Orchulli 32.1% 34.3%
2002 Democratic Party Joe Lieberman 63.2% Republican Party Philip Giordano 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 Democratic Party Dan Malloy 50.7% Republican Party Tom Foley 48.2% 2.5%
2010 Democratic Party Dan Malloy 49.5% Republican Party Tom Foley 49% .5%
2006 Republican Party Jodi Rell 63.2% Democratic Party John DeStefano, Jr. 35.5% 27.7%
2002 Republican Party John G. Rowland 56.1% Democratic Party Bill Curry 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 Republican Party 0 0% Democratic Party 5 100% D+5
2014 Republican Party 0 0% Democratic Party 5 100% D+5
2012 Republican Party 0 0% Democratic Party 5 100% D+5
2010 Republican Party 0 0% Democratic Party 5 100% D+5
2008 Republican Party 0 36.8% Democratic Party 5 100% D+5
2006 Republican Party 1 20% Democratic Party 4 80% D+4
2004 Republican Party 3 60% Democratic Party 2 40% R+1
2002 Republican Party 3 60% Democratic Party 2 40% R+1
2000 Republican Party 2 40% Democratic Party 3 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: 1992-2024
Fourteen 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
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
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
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


Pivot Counties

See also: Pivot Counties by state

One of eight Connecticut counties—12.5 percent—is a Pivot County. Pivot Counties are counties that voted for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012 and for Donald Trump (R) in 2016. Altogether, the nation had 206 Pivot Counties, with most being concentrated in upper midwestern and northeastern states.

Counties won by Trump in 2016 and Obama in 2012 and 2008
County Trump margin of victory in 2016 Obama margin of victory in 2012 Obama margin of victory in 2008
Windham County, Connecticut 7.78% 13.28% 14.68%

In the 2016 presidential election, Hillary Clinton (D) won Connecticut with 54.6 percent of the vote. Donald Trump (R) received 40.9 percent. In presidential elections between 1900 and 2016, Connecticut voted Republican 53.33 percent of the time and Democratic 46.67 percent of the time. In the five presidential elections between 2000 and 2016, Connecticut voted Democratic all five times.

Presidential results by legislative district

The following table details results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections by state House districts in Connecticut. Click [show] to expand the table. The "Obama," "Romney," "Clinton," and "Trump" columns describe the percent of the vote each presidential candidate received in the district. The "2012 Margin" and "2016 Margin" columns describe the margin of victory between the two presidential candidates in those years. The "Party Control" column notes which party held that seat heading into the 2018 general election. Data on the results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections broken down by state legislative districts was compiled by Daily Kos.[39][40]

In 2012, Barack Obama (D) won 120 out of 151 state House districts in Connecticut with an average margin of victory of 30.3 points. In 2016, Hillary Clinton (D) won 105 out of 151 state House districts in Connecticut with an average margin of victory of 30.9 points. Clinton won 32 districts controlled by Republicans heading into the 2018 elections.
In 2012, Mitt Romney (R) won 31 out of 151 state House districts in Connecticut with an average margin of victory of 8.6 points. In 2016, Donald Trump (R) won 46 out of 151 state House districts in Connecticut with an average margin of victory of 11.6 points. Trump won seven districts controlled by Democrats heading into the 2018 elections.

Recent news

The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Connecticut lieutenant governor Democratic primary 2018. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.

Connecticut lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2018 (August 14 Democratic primary) - Google News

See also

Connecticut government:

Elections:

Ballotpedia exclusives:

External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Hartford Courant, "Who Is Eva Bermudez Zimmerman? A Fresh Face With A History Of Activism," May 25, 2018
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 CT News Junkie, "Gauntlet Thrown," May 18, 2018
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 CT Mirror, "The careful dance of Susan Bysiewicz’s primary campaign," July 16, 2018
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 CT Post, "Susan Bysiewicz, an insider in an outsider’s year," July 8, 2018
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 WNPR, "Divisions Surface At Democratic Convention; UConn Eyes Search For New President," May 23, 2018
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 MRT, "Veteran politico faces challenge in lieutenant gov race," August 5, 2018
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 CT News Junkie, "Bysiewicz Touts Support From Local Elected Officials," July 16, 2018
  8. ↑ The Hartford Courant, "Wyman Casts Tiebreaking Vote To Approve Union Concessions Deal," July 31, 2017
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 News Times, "Working Families Party endorses Eva Bermudez Zimmerman," July 11, 2018
  10. ↑ Susan Bysiewicz for Congress, "Home," accessed July 31, 2018
  11. ↑ Hartford Courant, "Battling Endorsements in Lt. Gov Primary," July 31, 2018
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 CT Mirror, "Erin Stewart, Eva Bermudez Zimmerman win public financing," July 25, 2018
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 13.6 13.7 13.8 13.9 Patch.com, "In Milford, Bysiewicz Endorsed by 40 Plus Elected Officials," July 31, 2018
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 NBC Connecticut, "Bysiewicz, Bermudez Zimmerman Gaining Traction With Different Factions," July 31, 2018
  15. ↑ Eva Zimmerman for Lieutenant Governor, "Senator Mae Flexers Endorsement Video," May 29, 2018
  16. ↑ CT News Junkie, "Winfield Backs Zimmerman," May 17, 2018
  17. ↑ CT Mirror, "Lamont-Bysiewicz: ‘United, we have the best chance,’" May 15, 2018
  18. ↑ CT Mirror, "AFL-CIO endorses Eva Bermudez Zimmerman, Jahana Hayes," June 22, 2018
  19. ↑ The Day, "Connecticut party faithful have interesting choices for lieutenant governor," July 22, 2018
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Hartford Courant, "Democratic Race For Lieutenant Governor Pits Experience Versus Fresh Voice," July 29, 2018
  21. ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  22. ↑ Susan Bysiewicz for Lieutenant Governor, "Issues," accessed July 31, 2018
  23. ↑ NBC Connecticut, "Democrats Vying for Lieutenant Governor Spar During Debate," August 2, 2018
  24. ↑ CT Post, "Bermudez Zimmerman goes on attack against Bysiewicz in debate," August 2, 2018
  25. ↑ CT Mirror, "Bysiewicz v. Zimmerman: Experience v. ‘a different kind of candidate,’" August 2, 2018
  26. ↑ Connecticut Secretary of the State, "August 12, 2014, Unofficial Primary Results," accessed September 18, 2017
  27. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "State Primary Election Types," accessed April 10, 2023
  28. ↑ Ballotpedia research conducted December 26, 2013, through January 3, 2014, researching and analyzing various state websites and codes.
  29. ↑ Connecticut General Assembly, "Major Party Nominating Procedures in States With Conventions," accessed April 10, 2023
  30. ↑ General Statutes of Connecticut, "Title 9, Chapter 146, Section 9-174," accessed April 10, 2023
  31. ↑ Connecticut Secretary of the State, "Voting Eligibility," accessed April 10, 2023
  32. ↑ Connecticut Secretary of State, "Election Day Registration," accessed April 10, 2023
  33. ↑ Connecticut Secretary of State, "FAQ Voter ID," accessed April 10, 2023
  34. ↑ Connecticut General Assembly, "Public Act No. 23-5," June 7, 2023
  35. ↑ State of Connecticut, "Governor Lamont Signs Legislation Establishing Early Voting in Connecticut Elections and Primaries," June 7, 2023
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 Connecticut Secretary of the State, "Absentee Voting" accessed April 10, 2023
  37. ↑ Cubit, "Connecticut by Population," accessed August 30, 2018
  38. ↑ U.S. Census Bureau, "Quickfacts Connecticut," accessed August 30, 2018
  39. ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' statewide election results by congressional and legislative districts," July 9, 2013
  40. ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' 2016 presidential results for congressional and legislative districts," February 6, 2017
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