Thirty state legislative districts up for election in Connecticut this year are open, meaning no incumbents filed to run. This represents 16% of the state’s legislature, an increase compared to recent election cycles.
Since no incumbents are present, all open districts are guaranteed to be won by newcomers.
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Across all districts, there are nine contested primaries, representing 2% of all possible primaries.
Connecticut uses a convention-primary system, where candidates participate in a party nominating convention before the primary election. If more than one candidate receives over 15% of the delegate vote, the race proceeds to a contested primary. Candidates can also qualify for a primary ballot by gathering signatures. Learn more about Connecticut’s candidacy process here.
Either of these pathways can produce a contested primary, which is one where there are more candidates running than nominations available, meaning at least one candidate must lose.
There are seven Democratic primaries this year, a 30% decrease from 10 in 2020. Republicans are holding two contested primaries, a 50% decrease.
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Overall, 341 major party candidates filed to run this year: 181 Democrats and 160 Republicans.
All 151 House districts and 36 Senate districts are up for election.
Connecticut has had a Democratic trifecta since the party won control of the governorship in 2010. Democrats hold a 97-54 majority in the House and a 23-13 majority in the Senate.
Connecticut’s state legislative primaries are scheduled for Aug. 9, the 12th statewide primary date of the 2022 state legislative election cycle.
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