State Political Profile: Connecticut
Governor
Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell is running on her own for the first time since being elevated to the states 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 laws 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 war chests, DeStefano has $2.84 million, while Malloy has $2.2 million. Rell just began fundraising and brought in more than $800,000 in the last quarter. 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 Rowland's administration, and the former governor's shadow is expected to be a key factor in the race.
U.S. Senate
Sen. Joe Lieberman is running for his fourth term and was the Democratic nominee for vice president in 2000, but he may face a challenge from a popular independent and from Democrats who strongly disagree with the conservative Democrat over his support of the Iraq war. He faces strong competition in the upcoming primary against businessman Ned Lamont and the senator has not ruled out running as an independent if he loses the primary.
Lowell P. Weicker Jr., who lost his Senate seat to Lieberman in 1988 before becoming Connecticut's governor as an independent, is considering a run if Lieberman does not face a candidate in the general election.
Cable television executive Ned Lamont of Greenwich has formed an exploratory campaign to consider challenging Lieberman in the Democratic primary.
U.S. House
Three of Connecticut's 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 Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee 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.
Legislature
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
