State Political Profile: Connecticut
Governor
Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell is running on her own for the first time since being elevated to the state's top job in 2004. Previously lieutenant governor under John Rowland, Rell has worked to distance herself from her friend after he resigned in disgrace and was sent to federal prison on a corruption charge. Rell last year pushed through sweeping changes to campaign finance and publicly fought through a personal crisis when doctors found early stage cancer in her breast. Nine days after undergoing a mascectomy and reconstructive surgery, she gave her first State of the State address and now enjoys approval ratings near 80 percent.
Rell will face either Stamford Mayor Dannel Malloy or New Haven Mayor John DeStefano in what is expected to be a costly general election. Both have raised considerable warchests -- DeStefano has $3.6 million, while Malloy (who narrowly won the Democratic convention and the party's endorsement) has $3.4 million. Rell has raised $2.5 million and has refused to accept donations from lobbyists, contractors or political action committees. DeStefano enjoys the support of the liberal wing of the Democratic party and has broad labor support, while Malloy, from wealthy Fairfield County, has appealed to more conservative Democrats.
Both have attempted to link Rell to Rowlands administration, and the former governors shadow is expected to be a key factor in the race.
U.S. Senate
Six years after being the Democratic nominee for vice president, Sen. Joe Lieberman is struggling to get his party's endorsement for a fourth term in the Senate. Challenger Ned Lamont, a millionaire businessman from Greenwich, is hammering Lieberman for his support of the Iraq war and is painting Lieberman as too close to President Bush and the Republican Party. His cause has been embraced by many left wing political bloggers, who see the race as their best chance to dethrone an incumbent senator and become a force in the Democratic Party.
Support for Lamont rose from 19 percent in May to 32 percent of likely voters in June. Lamont's rising popularity and deep pockets has thrown the primary into doubt, and Lieberman began collecting signatures on petitions to force his way onto the general election ballot as an independent candidate should he lose the Democratic primary. Lieberman is widely expected a three-way battle, if needed, as polls show he has great support among Republicans and unaffiliated voters.
The Republican candidate is former Derby Mayor Alan Schlesinger, who was asked in July by the state's GOP leadership to drop out of the race following news reports that he had gambled under an assumed name at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut. Schlesinger, who admitted gambling as Alan Gold, said he did so to protect his privacy while an elected official. He has vowed to remain in the race.
U.S. House
Three of Connecticuts five House seats are expected to be in play in 2006.
In the 2nd District, two-term Republican Rob Simmons is expected to face another close race in his heavily-Democratic district. Simmons, who has consistently distanced himself from President Bush, defeated Democrat Jim Sullivan in 2004 by 54 percent to 46 percent. Joe Courtney, who Simmons defeated in the 2002 general election, has already announced he will run in 2006.
In the 4th District, Republican Christopher Shays will be running for his 10th term and is expected to face former Westport First Selectman Diane Farrell in the general election. Shays defeated Farrell 56 percent to 44 percent in the 2004 election.
Fifth District Republican Rep. Nancy Johnson will be running for her 13th term. Although she was re-elected by a double-digit margin in 2004 over former Democratic state Rep. Theresa Gerratana, the DCCC is targeting the seat for a strong 2006 challenge.
Also, 3rd District Democrat Rosa DeLauro is expected to easily win her ninth term, while 1st District Democrat John Larson is expected to win his fifth term.
State Races
Democrats control strong majorities in both houses of the Connecticut General Assembly. Republicans will be attempting to keep Democrats from gaining a supermajority capable of overriding a gubernatorial veto.
-- Associated Press
-- Associated Press
