August 12 State Primary Races

Major-party candidate slates for the state legislature—and for some statewide offices—will be settled by the Tuesday, August 12 primary election in Connecticut. Polls will open at 6 am for registered Democrats and Republicans and close at 8 pm.

According to the secretary of the state’s office, there are 23 primaries on Aug. 12, including a Republican primary for governor, lieutenant governor and state comptroller; and 18 primaries for candidates in various legislative districts across the state in both the state Senate and House, and in both major political parties.

Legislative primaries are especially important because most of the decisions that impact employers, employees and all taxpayers are made in the General Assembly.

This year, many races will settle open seats created by lawmakers who have decided not to run again—which means there is a greater potential for change in the legislature.

While the primaries signify healthy competition within the major political parties, the secretary of the state also announced that 50 legislative incumbents will not be challenged this year—a 56% increase in uncontested seats from two years ago.

Primary Details

Here are some important facts for the Aug. 12 primary:

• You can register to vote online at the secretary of the state’s website.
• If you are neither a registered Democrat or Republican, you can still vote in the primary if you register with either major party by noon on August 11.
• Absentee ballots for the primary are available for those who will be out of town on Aug. 12. You may download an application for one from the secretary of the state’s website

Connecticut needs to improve its economy and our standing in many national competitiveness studies. While there has been steadier job creation in the state recently, we still have a way to go to regain all the jobs lost during the recession.

Whom we send to the State Capitol in January will have a lot to say about turning around our economy and improving those national rankings. Be sure to play your part by voting in the primary on Tuesday, Aug. 12.

Primary Races in Connecticut on Aug. 12

*denotes party-endorsed candidate

Governor

• Republican: *Tom Foley; John McKinney

Lieutenant Governor

• Republican: *Penny Bacchiochi; Heather Somers; David Walker

Comptroller

• Republican: *Sharon McLaughlin; Angel Cadena

State Senate

2^nd District (Bloomfield, Hartford, Windsor)

• Democrat: *Shawn Wooden; Eric Coleman; Len Walker

20^th (Bozrah, East Lyme, Montville, New London, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Salem, Waterford )

• Democrat: *Elizabeth Ritter; William L. Satti

22^nd (Bridgeport, Monroe, Trumbull )

• Democrat: *Anthony Musto; Marilyn Moore

23^rd (Bridgeport, Stratford)

• Democrat:  *Andres Ayala, Jr.;  Scott Hughes

State House of Representatives

7^th District (Hartford)

• Democrat: *Douglas McCroy;  Donna Thompson-Daniel

23^rd (Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Westbrook)

• Republican: *Devin Carney;  Vicki Lanier

32^nd (Cromwell, Portland)

• Democrat: *Kathleen Richards; Anthony “Tony” Salvatore

44^th (Killingly, Plainfield)

• Democrat: *Christine Rosati; Michael Cartier

47^th (Canterbury, Chaplin, Franklin, Hampton, Lebanon, Lisbon, Norwich, Scotland, Sprague)

• Republican (no endorsement): Doug Dubitsky; Noah Enslow; Michael Meadows

48^th (Colchester, Lebanon, Mansfield, Windham)

• Democrat: *Linda Orange; Jason Paul

64^th (Canaan, Cornwall, Goshen, Kent, Norfolk, North Canaan, Salisbury, Sharon, Torrington)

• Republican: *Brian Ohler; Mark Lauretano

122^nd (Shelton, Stratford, Trumbull)

• Republican: *Ben McGorty; Michael Vickerelli

124^th (Bridgeport)

• Democrat: *Ernie Newton; Andre Baker

128^th (Bridgeport)

• Democrat: *Christopher Rosario; Christina Ayala; Dennis Bradley; Teresa Davidson

133^rd (Fairfield)

• Democrat: *Cristin McCarthy Vahey; Matt Waggner

137^th (Norwalk)

• Democrat: *David Watts; Chris Perone

140^th (Norwalk)

• Democrat: *Bruce Morris; Warren Pena

142^nd (New Canaan, Norwalk)

• Republican: *Emily Wilson; Fred Wilms