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2020 Connecticut Senate election

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2020 Connecticut Senate election

← 2018 November 3, 2020 2022 →

All 36 seats in the Connecticut State Senate
19 seats needed for a majority
Turnout67.3%[1] (Increase 7.7%)
  Majority party Minority party
 
Leader Martin Looney Len Fasano
(retired)
Party Democratic Republican
Leader since January 7, 2015 January 7, 2015
Leader's seat 11th District 34th District
Last election 23 13
Seats before 22 14
Seats after 24 12
Seat change Increase 2 Decrease 2
Popular vote 925,028 737,405
Percentage 54.8% 43.7%
Swing Increase 1.7 Increase 0.3

Results:
     Democratic gain
     Democratic hold      Republican hold

President pro tempore of the Senate before election

Martin Looney
Democratic

Elected President pro tempore of the Senate

Martin Looney
Democratic

The 2020 Connecticut State Senate election took place on November 3, 2020. Part of the biennial 2020 United States elections. Connecticut voters elected senators in all of the 36 State Senate districts. State senators serve two-year terms in the Connecticut State Senate, with all 36 of the seats up for election each cycle. The primary elections on August 11, 2020, determined which candidates appeared on the ballot for the general election. Four primary elections were cancelled, including three Republican primary elections. As a result, four Incumbent candidates ran uncontested.[2]

Retirements

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One incumbent did not seek re-election in 2020.

Republicans

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  1. District 34: Len Fasano retired.[3]

Predictions

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Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[4] Safe D October 21, 2020

Results

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24 12
Democratic Republican
Parties Candidates Seats Popular Vote
2018 2020 +/- Strength Vote % Change
Democratic 35 22 24 Increase 2 61.11% 925,028 54.82% Increase 1.72%
Republican 33 14 12 Decrease 2 38.89% 737,405 43.70% Increase 0.28%
Independent Party 4[a] 0 0 Steady
0.00% 27,037 1.60% Decrease 0.34%
Working Families 0[b] 0 0 Steady
0.00% 16,695 0.99% Decrease 0.47%
Libertarian 3 0 0 Steady
0.00% 2,567 0.15% Steady
Green 1 0 0 Steady
0.00% 952 0.06% Decrease 0.02%
Other parties and Write-ins 5 0 0 Steady
0.00% 2,877 0.17% Steady
Total 81 36 36 0 100.00% 1,687,529 100.00% -

Two seats flipped from Republican to Democratic, resulting in a Democratic majority of 24–12 in the Senate chamber. Making the 2020 election the second election in a row where the Democratic majority increased. Republicans have now lost 6 seats in the past 2 elections. 1 Senator, Len Fasano (R-34th), did not attempt to run for re-election.

Composition

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Affiliation Party
(Shading indicates majority caucus)
Total
Democratic Republican Vacant
Before Election 22 14 36 0
After Election 24 12 36 0
Change Increase 2 Decrease 2 Steady

Overview

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District 1District 2District 3District 4District 5District 6District 7District 8District 9District 10District 11District 12District 13District 14District 15District 16District 17District 18District 19District 20District 21District 22District 23District 24District 25District 26District 27District 28District 29District 30District 31District 32District 33District 34District 35District 36

District 1

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Incumbent Democratic senator John Fonfara has represented Connecticut's 1st State Senate District since 1997. He won re-election against Republican Barbara Ruhe and Green Party candidate Mary L. Sanders.

2020 Connecticut State Senate election, District 1[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Fonfara (incumbent) 20,584 71.78
Republican Barbara Ruhe 7,141 24.90
Green Mary L. Sanders 952 3.32
Total votes 28,677 100.00
Democratic hold

District 2

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After the Republican primary was cancelled, Democratic Incumbent Douglas McCroy won re-election to a third term uncontested. This was the 2nd election in a row that McCroy ran uncontested. McCroy has represented the 2nd District since 2017.

2020 Connecticut State Senate election, District 2[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Douglas McCrory (incumbent) 33,839 100.00
Democratic hold

District 3

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Democratic Incumbent Saud Anwar cruised to re-election for a 2nd term after the Republican primary was cancelled. Anwar has represented the 2nd District since 2019. Anwar also received the nomination from the Working Families Party.

2020 Connecticut State Senate election, District 3[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Saud Anwar (incumbent) 31,543 89.45
Working Families Saud Anwar (incumbent) 3,720 10.55
Total votes 35,263 100.00
Democratic hold

District 4

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Incumbent Democrat Steve Cassano won re-election to a sixth term over Republican challenger Matthew M. Corey, Libertarian challenger Harold S. Harris, and Kelly Green from the Reclaim party. Cassano has represented the 4th District since 2011. Cassano also received the nomination from the Working Families Party.

2020 Connecticut State Senate election, District 4[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Steve Cassano (incumbent) 30,484 56.34
Republican Matthew M. Corey 20,737 38.33
Working Families Steve Cassano (incumbent) 1,230 2.27
Libertarian Harold S. Harris 830 1.53
Reclaim Party Kelly Green 823 1.52
Total votes 54,104 100.00
Democratic hold

District 5

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Democratic Incumbent Derek Slap won re-election to a 2nd term over Republican challenger Phillip Chabot and Independent challenger Joelle Nawrocki. Slap has represented the 5th District since 2019

2020 Connecticut State Senate election, District 5[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Derek Slap (incumbent) 37,360 65.43
Republican Phillip Chabot 17,961 31.45
Independent Party Joelle Nawrocki 1,780 3.12
Total votes 57,101 100.00
Democratic hold

District 6

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Democratic newcomer and State Representative Rick Lopes defeated Republican Incumbent Gennaro Bizzarro and helped increase the Democratic majority. Bizzaro has represented the 6th District since 2019. Rick Lopes also received the nomination from the Working Families Party.

2020 Connecticut State Senate election, District 6[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Rick Lopes 19,621 53.04
Republican Gennaro Bizzarro (incumbent) 16,372 44.26
Working Families Rick Lopes 1,000 2.70
Total votes 36,993 100.00
Democratic gain from Republican

District 7

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Republican Incumbent John A. Kissel won re-election to a 15th term after defeating Democratic newcomer Frederick A. Moffa. Kissel has represented the 7th District since 1993. Kissel also received the nomination of the Independent Party.While Moffa also received the nomination of the Working Families Party.

2020 Connecticut State Senate election, District 7[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Frederick A. Moffa 22,890 43.62
Republican John A. Kissel (incumbent) 26,624 50.74
Independent Party John A. Kissel (incumbent) 1,703 3.25
Working Families Frederick A. Moffa 1,254 2.39
Total votes 52,471 100.00
Republican hold

District 8

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Republican Incumbent Kevin Witkos won re-election to a seventh term after defeating Democratic newcomer Mellisa E. Osborne as well as Independent candidate Keith James McConnell. Witkos has represented the 8th District since 2009.

2020 Connecticut State Senate election, District 8[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Kevin Witkos (incumbent) 29,694 51.54%
Democratic Melissa E. Osborne 26,811 46.53%
Independent Party Keith James McConnell 1,111 1.93%
Total votes 57,616 100.00%
Republican hold

District 9

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Democratic Incumbent Matt Lesser won re-election to a 2nd term after defeating Republican challenger Richie Ruglio. Lesser has represented the 9th District since 2019.Richie Ruglio also received the nomination of the Independent Party. While Matt Lesser received the nomination of the Working Families Party.

2020 Connecticut State Senate election, District 9[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Matt Lesser (incumbent) 29,473 54.85
Republican Richie Ruglio 21,609 40.22
Independent Party Richie Ruglio 1,139 2.12
Working Families Matt Lesser (incumbent) 1,509 2.81
Total votes 53,730 100.00
Democratic hold

District 10

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Democratic Incumbent Gary Winfield won re-election to a third term after defeating Republican challenger Carlos M. Alvarado in a landslide victory. Winfield has represented the 10th District since 2017. Winfield also received the nomination of the Working Families Party.

2020 Connecticut State Senate election, District 10[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Gary Winfield (incumbent) 23,237 78.14
Republican Carlos M. Alvarado 4,081 13.72
Working Families Gary Winfield (incumbent) 1,509 2.81
Petitioning candidate Jason W. Bartlett 1,246 4.19
Total votes 30,073 100.00
Democratic hold

District 11

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Democratic Incumbent and President pro tempore Martin Looney won re-election to a 15th term after defeating Republican challenger Jameson White and Petitioning candidate Alexander Taubes in a landslide victory. Looney has represented the 11th District since 1993.

2020 Connecticut State Senate election, District 11[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Martin Looney (incumbent) 27,336 74.70
Republican Jameson White 8,462 23.12
Petitioning candidate Alexander Taubes 795 2.17
Total votes 36,593 100.00
Democratic hold

District 12

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Democratic Incumbent Christine Cohen won re-election to a 2nd term after defeating Republican challenger Joe LaPorta. Cohen has represented the 12th District since 2019.Cohen also received the nomination of the Independent Party as well as the Working Families Party.

2020 Connecticut State Senate election, District 12[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Christine Cohen (incumbent) 31,310 53.69
Republican Joe LaPorta 25,113 43.07
Independent Party Christine Cohen (incumbent) 1,070 1.83
Working Families Christine Cohen (incumbent) 820 1.41
Total votes 58,313 100.00
Democratic hold

District 13

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Democratic Incumbent Mary Abrams won re-election to a 2nd term after defeating Republican challenger Len Suzio. Abrams has represented the 13th District since 2019.Abrams also received the nomination of the Working Families Party.While Len Suzio also received the nomination of the Independent Party.

2020 Connecticut State Senate election, District 13[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Mary Abrams (incumbent) 23,831 50.42
Republican Len Suzio 20,799 44.01
Independent Party Len Suzio 1,532 3.24
Working Families Mary Abrams (incumbent) 1,102 2.33
Total votes 47,264 100.00
Democratic hold

District 14

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Democratic Incumbent James Maroney won re-election to a 2nd term after defeating Republican challenger Michael Southworth. Maroney has represented the 14th District since 2019. Maroney also received the nomination of the Independent and Working Families Party.

2020 Connecticut State Senate election, District 14[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic James Maroney (incumbent) 28,388 53.06
Republican Michael Southworth 22,830 42.67
Independent Party James Maroney (incumbent) 1,428 2.67
Working Families James Maroney (incumbent) 854 1.60
Total votes 53,500 100.00
Democratic hold

District 15

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Democratic Incumbent Joan V. Hartley won an uncontested re-election resulting in his eleventh term, since the Republican primary was cancelled. Hartley has represented the 15th District since 2001. Hartley also received the nomination of the Independent Party.

2020 Connecticut State Senate election, District 15[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joan V. Hartley (incumbent) 20,367 81.99
Independent Party Joan V. Hartley (incumbent) 4,473 18.01
Total votes 24,840 100.00
Democratic hold

District 16

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Republican Incumbent Rob Sampson won re-election to a second term over Democratic challenger Jack Perry. Write in candidate Paul J. Small received 4 votes. Sampson has represented the 16th District since 2019.Jack Perry also received the nomination of the Independent Party. As well as the Working Families Party.

2020 Connecticut State Senate election, District 16[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jack Perry 22,717 41.83
Republican Rob Sampson (incumbent) 29,209 53.79
Independent Party Jack Perry 1,537 2.83
Working Families Jack Perry 839 1.54
Write-in candidate Paul J. Small 4 0.01
Total votes 57,242 100.00
Republican hold

District 17

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Democratic newcomer Jorge Cabrera defeated Republican Incumbent George Logan. Logan had represented the 17th District since 2017. The 17th District seat is one of two that flipped from Republican to Democrat. Logan also received the nomination of the Independent Party, while Jorge Cabrera received the nomination of the Working Families Party.

2020 Connecticut State Senate election, District 17[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jorge Cabrera 23,810 49.61
Republican George Logan (incumbent) 21,441 44.68
Independent Party George Logan (incumbent) 1,517 3.16
Working Families Jorge Cabrera 1,224 2.55
Total votes 47,992 100.00
Democratic gain from Republican

District 18

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Incumbent Republican Heather Somers won re-election to a third term over Democratic newcomer Bob Statchen. Somers has represented the 18th District since 2017. Statchen also received the nomination from the Independent and Working Families Parties.

2020 Connecticut State Senate election, District 18[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Bob Statchen 23,942 47.60
Republican Heather Somers (incumbent) 26,377 52.42
Independent Party Bob Statchen 883 1.75
Working Families Bob Statchen 677 1.35
Total votes 50,319 100.00
Republican hold

District 19

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Democratic Incumbent Cathy Osten won re-election to a fifth term after defeating Republican challenger Steve Weir as well as Libertarian candidate William H. Russell. Osten has represented the 19th District since 2013.Osten also received the nomination of the Working Families Party.

2020 Connecticut State Senate election, District 19[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Cathy Osten (incumbent) 24,456 50.51
Republican Steve Weir 21,680 44.77
Working Families Cathy Osten (incumbent) 1,392 2.87
Libertarian William H. Russell 892 1.84
Total votes 48,420 100.00
Democratic hold

District 20

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Republican Incumbent Paul Formica won re-election to a fourth term after narrowly beating out Democratic challenger Martha Marx in a close election. Formica has represented the 20th District since 2015.Marx also received the nomination of the Independent Party.

2020 Connecticut State Senate election, District 20[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Martha Marx 23,399 46.09
Republican Paul M. Formica (incumbent) 25,680 50.58
Independent Party Joseph Taraya 586 1.15
Working Families Martha Marx 1,104 2.17
Total votes 50,769 100.00
Republican hold

District 21

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Republican Incumbent Kevin C. Kelly won re-election to a sixth term uncontested after the Democratic primary was cancelled. Kelly has represented the 21st District since 2011.

2020 Connecticut State Senate election, District 21[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Kevin C. Kelly (incumbent) 37,602 100.00
Republican hold

District 22

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Democratic Incumbent Marilyn Moore won re-election to a fourth term against Republican challenger Steven S. Choi as well as Libertarian candidate Stephen Dincher. Moore has represented the 22nd District since 2015.

2020 Connecticut State Senate election, District 22[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Marilyn Moore (incumbent) 28,438 61.34
Republican Steven S. Choi 17,070 36.82
Libertarian Stephen Dincher 845 1.82
Write-in candidate Devon Brown 9 0.02
Total votes 46,362 100.00
Democratic hold

District 23

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Incumbent Democrat Dennis Bradley won re-election for a 2nd term after defeating Republican challenger Josiah Israel in a landslide victory.[6] Bradley has represented the 23rd District since 2019.

2020 Connecticut State Senate election, District 23[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Dennis Bradley (incumbent) 20,317 83.53
Republican Josiah Israel 4,006 16.47
Total votes 24,323 100.00
Democratic hold

District 24

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Democratic Incumbent Julie Kushner won re-election to a 2nd term over Republican challenger Susan Chapman. Kushner has represented the 24th District since 2019.Kushner also received the nomination of the Working Families Party. While Chapman also received the nomination of the Independent Party.

2020 Connecticut State Senate election, District 24[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Julie Kushner (incumbent) 23,939 53.63
Republican Susan Chapman 18,778 42.07
Independent Party Susan Chapman 827 1.85
Working Families Julie Kushner (incumbent) 1,091 2.44
Total votes 20,696 100.00
Democratic hold

District 25

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Senate Majority leader Bob Duff won re-election to a 9th term over Republican challenger Ellie Kousidis. Duff has represented the 25th District since 2005.Kousidis also received the nomination of the Independent Party.

2020 Connecticut State Senate election, District 25[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Bob Duff (Incumbent) 29,788 60.30
Republican Ellie Kousidis 18,954 37.17
Independent Party Ellie Kousidis 1,324 2.60
Total votes 49,412 100.00
Democratic hold

District 26

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Incumbent Democratic senator Will Haskell won re-election to a 2nd term against Republican candidate Kim Healy. Haskell has represented the 26th District since 2019.Healy also received the nomination of the Independent Party.

2020 Connecticut State Senate election, District 26[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Will Haskell (Incumbent) 38,227 58.40
Republican Kim Healy 26,095 39.46
Independent Party Kim Healy 1,454 2.20
Total votes 65,425 100.00
Democratic hold

District 27

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Incumbent Democratic senator Carlo Leone won re-election to a sixth term after defeating Republican challenger Eva Maldonado. Leone has represented the 27th District since 2011.Maldonado also received the nomination of the Independent Party. Carlo Leone would eventually resign to take a job with the Lamont administration.

2020 Connecticut State Senate election, District 27[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Carlo Leone (Incumbent) 29,279 63.83
Republican Eva Maldonado 15,307 33.37
Independent Party Eva Maldonado 1,287 2.81
Total votes 39,457 100.00
Democratic hold

District 28

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Incumbent Republican Tony Hwang won re-election to a fourth term after beating out Democratic challenger Michelle Lapine McCabe and won re-election. Hwang has represented the 28th District since 2015.

2020 Connecticut State Senate election, District 28[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Michelle Lapine McCabe 29,759 48.30
Republican Tony Hwang (incumbent) 31,857 51.70
Total votes 61,616 100.00
Republican hold

District 29

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Democratic Incumbent Mae Flexer won re-election to a fourth term after defeating Republican/Independent challenger Jessica Alba. Flexer has represented the 29th District since 2015. Flexer also received the nomination of the Working Families Party. While Jessica Alba also received the nomination of the Independent Party.

2020 Connecticut State Senate election, District 29[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Mae Flexer (incumbent) 19,617 49.07
Republican Jessica Alba 17,862 44.68
Independent Party Jessica Alba 1,241 3.10
Working Families Mae Flexer (incumbent) 1,261 3.15
Total votes 39,981 100.00
Democratic hold

District 30

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Republican Incumbent Craig Miner won re-election to a fourth term after defeating Democratic challenger David Gronbach as well as Independent Joseph Bongiorno. Miner has represented the 30th District since 2015.

2020 Connecticut State Senate election, District 30[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic David Gronbach 24,158 44.90
Republican Craig Miner (incumbent) 28,719 53.40
Independent Party Joseph Bongiorno 937 1.70
Total votes 53,814 100.00
Republican hold

District 31

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Republican Incumbent Henri Martin won re-election to a fourth term after defeating Democratic challenger Mary Fortier. Martin has represented the 31st District since 2015.

2020 Connecticut State Senate election, District 31[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Mary Fortier 21,589 41.90
Republican Henri Martin (incumbent) 29,884 58.10
Total votes 51,473 100.00
Republican hold

District 32

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Incumbent Republican Eric Berthel won re-election to a third term over Democratic challenger Jeff Desmarais. Berthel has represented the 32nd District since 2017.

2020 Connecticut State Senate election, District 32[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jeff Desmarais 23,696 41.80
Republican Eric Berthel (incumbent) 33,005 58.20
Total votes 56,701 100.00
Republican hold

District 33

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Incumbent Democrat Norman Needleman won re-election to a 2nd term after beating out Republican challenger Brendan Saunders to get re-elected. Needleman has represented the 33rd District since 2019.

2020 Connecticut's 33rd State Senate district election
← 2018
2022 →

Precinct results
Needleman      50-60%      60-70%
Saunders      50-60%
2020 Connecticut State Senate election, District 33[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Norman Needleman (Incumbent) 33,351 54.00
Republican Brendan Saunders 28,432 46.00
Total votes 61,783 100.00
Democratic hold

District 34

[edit]

Newcomer Republican Paul Cicarella Jr. defeated Democratic challenger April Capone. The winner of this election, Paul Cicarella Jr., will replace retiring Senate Minority leader and former president pro tempore, Len Fasano.

2020 Connecticut State Senate election, District 34[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic April Capone 22,468 44.80
Republican Paul Cicarella, Jr 27,691 55.20
Total votes 50,159 100.00
Republican hold

District 35

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Republican Incumbent Dan Champagne won re-election to a 2nd term after beating out Democratic challenger Lisa Thomas. Champagne has represented the 35th District since 2019. Thomas also received the nomination of the Independent and Working Families Parties.

2020 Connecticut State Senate election, District 7[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Lisa Thomas 25,871 45.47
Republican Dan Champagne (incumbent) 28,763 50.55
Independent Party Lisa Thomas 1,208 2.12
Working Families Lisa Thomas 1,059 1.86
Total votes 56,903 100.00
Republican hold

District 36

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Democratic Incumbent Alex Kasser narrowly defeated Republican challenger Ryan Fazio to win re-election to a 2nd term in a tight race. Kasser has represented the 36th District since 2019.

2020 Connecticut State Senate election, District 36[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Alex Kasser (Incumbent) 29,133 51.40
Republican Ryan Fazio 27,570 48.60
Total votes 56,703 100.00
Democratic hold

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ In addition, the Independent Party of Connecticut cross-endorsed 15 candidates, 6 Democrats and 9 Republicans.
  2. ^ In addition, the Working Families Party of Connecticut cross-endorsed 17 candidates, all Democrats.

References

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  1. ^ "Registration and Party Enrollment Statistics as of October 27, 2020" (PDF).
  2. ^ Ballotpedia. "2020 Connecticut State Senate election". Ballotpedia. Ballotpedia. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
  3. ^ "Senate Republican leader Len Fasano will not seek reelection". WTNH. April 1, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  4. ^ "October Overview: Handicapping the 2020 State Legislature Races". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj "Public Reporting". Connecticut Elections Management System. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  6. ^ Fry, Ethan (November 4, 2020). "Bradley leads 23rd Senate District, but Israel isn't conceding". Connecticut Post. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
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