Election preview: U.S. Senate, U.S. House, 187 seats in CT legislature in races Tuesday

Voters statewide pick top leaders; key statewide races feature Democratic incumbents

Connecticut’s midterm election Tuesday will see voters choose the state’s next U.S. senator, five U.S. House members, constitutional officers, and all 187 members of the state legislature. All 169 seats in the General Assembly are up for election this year, and Democrats hold a large majority.

Three statewide races — for governor, lieutenant governor, and secretary of the state — are at the top of the ticket. Gov. Ned Lamont, a Democrat, is running for a second term against Republican challenger Leora Levy. Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, a Democrat, is running for a third term against Republican challenger Jessica Zullo. Secretary of the State Denise Merrill, a Democrat, is running for a fifth term against Republican challenger Dominic Rapini.

Four U.S. House races feature incumbents

In the state’s five congressional districts, four incumbent U.S. House members are seeking reelection. In the 1st District, U.S. Rep. John Larson, a Democrat, is seeking a 12th term against Republican challenger Larry Lazorchick. In the 2nd District, U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, a Democrat, is seeking a ninth term against Republican challenger Mike France. In the 3rd District, U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, a Democrat, is seeking a 16th term against Republican challenger Lesley DeNardis. In the 4th District, U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, a Democrat, is seeking an eighth term against Republican challenger Jayme Stevenson.

Every state legislative seat up for election

All 169 seats in the General Assembly are up for election this year, and Democrats hold a large majority. In the Senate, Democrats currently hold a 23-13 majority, and in the House, they hold a 91-60 majority. Republicans need to gain four seats in the Senate and nine seats in the House to take control of either chamber.

There are several competitive races for the state legislature this year. In the Senate, < a href="https://www.courant.com/politics/hc-pol-jennifer-zeiger-20221024-fu56u7qhynbanmqx3v53xtg7su-story.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">incumbent Democrat Jennifer Zeigler is facing a challenge from Republican David Wilson in the 30th District. In the House, incumbent Democrat Connie Evans is facing a challenge from Republican Denise Pavlides in the 52nd District.