The 2018 Connecticut gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 2018, to elect the next governor and lieutenant governor of Connecticut, concurrently with the election of Connecticut's Class I U.S. Senate seat, as well as other elections to the United States Senate in other states, elections to the United States House of Representatives, and various state and local elections.
As Connecticut does not have gubernatorial term limits, incumbent Democratic governor Dannel Malloy was eligible to run for a third term, but declined to do so. After the resignation of Kansas governor Sam Brownback in January 2018, Malloy became the most unpopular governor in the United States. The general election was between 2006 Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Ned Lamont, and Republican financial executive Bob Stefanowski. Independent candidate and former Republican Oz Griebel has been called a spoiler candidate for Stefanowski, earning 3.89% of the vote. Lamont was re-elected governor in 2022 in a rematch with Stefanowski.
Democratic primary
Governor
Democratic nominee Ned Lamont, former Greenwich selectman, nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2006 and candidate for governor of Connecticut in 2010 (endorsed by the state party)
Lost the Democratic primary Joe Ganim, mayor of Bridgeport and nominee for lieutenant governor in 1994
Withdrew prior to the Democratic primary Susan Bysiewicz, Secretary of the State of Connecticut from 1999 to 2011 and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2012 (running for lieutenant governor of Connecticut; endorsed Lamont) Sean Connolly, former state commissioner for Veterans' Affairs (endorsed Lamont) Dan Drew, mayor of Middletown Jonathan Harris, former mayor of West Hartford and former Connecticut state senator (endorsed Lamont) Guy L. Smith, businessman
Declined Dita Bhargava, former hedge fund manager and former vice chair of the Democratic Party of Connecticut (ran for Treasurer of Connecticut) Luke Bronin, mayor of Hartford since 2015 Joe Courtney, U.S. representative since 2007 (ran for reelection) Elizabeth Esty, U.S. representative since 2013 (retiring) Toni Harp, Mayor of New Haven since 2013 (endorsed Lamont) Jim Himes, U.S. representative since 2009 (ran for reelection) George Jepsen, Attorney General of Connecticut since 2011 (retired) Edward M. Kennedy Jr., state senator and member of the Kennedy family (retired) John Larson, U.S. representative since 1999 (ran for reelection; endorsed Lamont) Kevin Lembo, State Comptroller of Connecticut since 2011 (ran for reelection) Martin Looney, state senator, president pro tempore of the Connecticut Senate Dan Malloy, governor of Connecticut since 2011 (retired) Rudy Marconi, Ridgefield first selectman Chris Mattei, attorney and former federal prosecutor (ran for attorney general) Nancy Wyman, lieutenant governor of Connecticut since 2011 (retired)
Primary endorsements
Results
Lieutenant governor
Democratic nominee Susan Bysiewicz, former Secretary of the State of Connecticut and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2012 (endorsed by the state party)
Lost the Democratic primary Eva Bermúdez Zimmerman, activist
Withdrew Liz Linehan, state representative Drew Marzullo, Greenwich selectman Charlie Stallworth, state representative
Results
Republican primary
Governor
Republican nominee Bob Stefanowski, financial executive
Lost the Republican primary Tim Herbst, former first selectman of Trumbull and nominee for state treasurer in 2014 Stephen A. Obsitnik, businessman and nominee for CT-04 in 2012 David Stemerman, businessman Mark Boughton, mayor of Danbury, nominee for lieutenant governor in 2010 and candidate for governor in 2014 (endorsed by the state party)
Eliminated at convention Mike Handler, Stamford Director of Administration Mark Lauretti, mayor of Shelton and candidate for governor and lieutenant governor in 2014 (endorsed Stefanowski) Peter Lumaj, attorney and nominee for secretary of state in 2014 (endorsed Stefanowski) Prasad Srinivasan, state representative (endorsed Herbst) David M. Walker, former United States Comptroller General and candidate for lieutenant governor in 2014 (endorsed Stefanowski)
Withdrew prior to convention Erin Stewart, mayor of New Britain (ran for lieutenant governor) Peter Thalheim, attorney and builder Joe Visconti, former West Hartford councilman and independent candidate for governor in 2014 (ran for U.S. Senate)
Declined Toni Boucher, state senator Len Fasano, state senator, president pro tempore of the Connecticut Senate Tom Foley, former U.S. Ambassador to Ireland and nominee for governor in 2010 and 2014 Tony Hwang, state senator Rob Kane, Auditor of Public Accounts and former state senator Themis Klarides, Minority Leader of the Connecticut House of Representatives Joe Markley, state senator (running for lieutenant governor) John P. McKinney, former state senator and candidate for governor in 2014
Convention The Republican statewide nominating convention was held May 11–12, 2018 at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard, Connecticut.
Under the rules established by the convention, any candidate not receiving at least eight percent of the vote would be eliminated in the first round of voting. In the second round of voting, candidates not receiving 15 percent of the vote would be eliminated. In all subsequent rounds of voting, the candidate with the fewest votes would be eliminated, regardless of percentage. Voting would continue until one candidate receives 50 percent plus one of all votes cast.
Results at the convention Round Mark Boughton Tim Herbst Steve Obsitnik Peter Lumaj Mark Lauretti David M. Walker Prasad Srinivasan Mike Handler 1 277 24.4% 213 18.8% 117 10.3% 167 14.7% 119 10.5% 104 9.2% 90 7.9% 46 4.1% 2 408 36.3% 319 28.4% 198 17.6% 161 14.3% 26 2.3% 13 1.2% 3 557 50.1% 454 40.9% 100 9.0%
Primary endorsements
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error MarkBoughton TimHerbst SteveObsitnik BobStefanowski DavidStemerman UndecidedTremont Public AdvisorsTremont Public Advisors August 7–9, 2018 1,151 ± 3.0% 32% 16% 11% 22% 17% 3%Tremont Public AdvisorsTremont Public Advisors July 18–20, 2018 1,006 ± 3.0% 34% 15% 12% 20% 15% 5%McLaughlin & Associates (R-Stefanowski)McLaughlin & Associates (R-Stefanowski) July 21–23, 2018 400 ± 4.9% 18% 11% 4% 29% 17% 21%
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error MarkBoughton MikeHandler TimHerbst MarkLauretti PeterLumaj SteveObsitnik PrasadSrinivasan BobStefanowski DavidStemerman ErinStewart DaveWalker UndecidedMcLaughlin & Associates (R-Stefanowski)McLaughlin & Associates (R-Stefanowski) May 4–6, 2018 400 ± 4.9% 7% 2% 3% 4% 2% 2% 3% 33% 2% 11% 3% 30%
Results
Lieutenant governor
Republican nominee Joe Markley, state senator
Lost the Republican primary Jayme Stevenson, Darien first selectman Erin Stewart, mayor of New Britain
Withdrew Ann Brookes, attorney Peter Tesei, Greenwich first selectman
Endorsements
Results
Independent
Candidates Declared Oz Griebel, businessman and Republican candidate for governor in 2010 Running mate: Monte Frank, former president of the Connecticut Bar Association.
Declined Joe Scarborough, television personality and former Republican U.S. representative from Florida
Withdrew Micah Welintukonis, former Coventry town councilman and Army veteran
Endorsements
General election Endorsements
Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of January 10, 2019CandidateRaisedSpentCash on handNed Lamont (D)$15,096,464$15,909,903$410Bob Stefenowski (R)$3,226,116$6,535,871$209Oz Griebel (I)$199,606$503,305$1,428Source: Connecticut State Elections Enforcement Commission
Debates Dates Location Lamont Stefanowski Griebel LinkOctober 18, 2018Hartford, ConnecticutParticipantParticipantParticipantFull debateFull debate - C-SPANOctober 30, 2018New Haven, ConnecticutParticipantParticipantParticipantFull debateFull debate - C-SPAN
Predictions SourceRankingAs ofThe Cook Political Report October 26, 2018The Washington Post November 5, 2018FiveThirtyEight November 5, 2018Rothenberg Political Report November 1, 2018Sabato's Crystal Ball November 5, 2018RealClearPolitics November 4, 2018Daily Kos November 5, 2018Fox News November 5, 2018Politico November 5, 2018Governing November 5, 2018
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error NedLamont (D) Bob OzGriebel (I) Other UndecidedGravis MarketingGravis Marketing October 30 – November 1, 2018 681 ± 3.8% 46% 37% 9% – 8%Sacred Heart UniversitySacred Heart University October 29–31, 2018 500 ± 4.3% 38% 40% 9% 1% 12%Emerson CollegeEmerson College October 27–29, 2018 780 ± 3.7% 46% 39% 10% 0% 5%Quinnipiac UniversityQuinnipiac University October 22–28, 2018 1,201 ± 4.0% 47% 43% 7% 0% 4%Sacred Heart UniversitySacred Heart University October 13–17, 2018 501 ± 4.3% 40% 36% 8% 1% 15%Public Policy Polling (D-Change Course CT PAC)Public Policy Polling (D-Change Course CT PAC) October 8–9, 2018 828 – 43% 38% – – 19%Quinnipiac UniversityQuinnipiac University October 3–8, 2018 767 ± 5.0% 47% 39% 11% 0% 3%Sacred Heart UniversitySacred Heart University September 12–17, 2018 501 ± 4.3% 43% 37% – 4% 16%Gravis MarketingGravis Marketing August 24–27, 2018 606 ± 4.0% 49% 40% – – 12%Quinnipiac UniversityQuinnipiac University August 16–21, 2018 1,029 ± 3.9% 46% 33% 4% 2% 14% 53% 37% – – 6%Sacred Heart UniversitySacred Heart University August 16–21, 2018 502 ± 4.3% 41% 37% – 6% 17%
with Ned Lamont and Mark Boughton Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error NedLamont (D) MarkBoughton (R) UndecidedTremont Public AdvisorsTremont Public Advisors May 3–5, 2018 550 ± 4.5% 50% 40% 11% with Ned Lamont and Erin Stewart Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error NedLamont (D) ErinStewart (R) UndecidedTremont Public Advisors May 3–5, 2018 550 ± 4.5% 44% 46% 10% with Susan Bysiewicz and Erin Stewart Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error SusanBysiewicz (D) ErinStewart (R) UndecidedTremont Public Advisors May 3–5, 2018 550 ± 4.5% 40% 50% 10% with Susan Bysiewicz and Mark Boughton Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error SusanBysiewicz (D) MarkBoughton (R) UndecidedTremont Public Advisors May 3–5, 2018 550 ± 4.5% 42% 47% 11% with generic Democrat and Republican Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error GenericDemocrat GenericRepublican UndecidedTremont Public Advisors May 3–5, 2018 550 ± 4.5% 43% 50% 7%
Results
By county Lamont won four of eight counties, while Stefenowski won the other four. County Ned LamontDemocratic Bob StefenowskiRepublican Other partiesIndependent Total votes castFairfield188,33453.01%160,64145.22%6,2831.77%355,258Hartford179,18251.74%144,21841.64%22,9306.62%346,330Litchfield32,12537.61%49,28057.69%4,0154.70%85,420Middlesex36,48345.78%38,67848.54%4,5245.68%79,685New Haven160,40649.39%153,86547.38%10,4853.23%324,756New London50,41747.38%49,36446.39%6,6256.23%106,406Tolland29,99245.13%31,88247.98%4,5766.89%66,450Windham17,57141.42%22,21052.35%2,6436.23%42,424Total694,51049.37%650,13846.22%62,0814.41%1,406,729
Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican Middlesex (largest town: Middletown)
By congressional district Lamont won three of five congressional districts, while Stefenowski won two, both of which were held by Democrats. District Ned LamontDemocratic Bob StefenowskiRepublican Other partiesIndependent Total votes cast Representative # % # % # % 1st 146,577 52.21% 115,799 41.25% 18,375 6.54% 280,751 John B. Larson 2nd 131,943 44.67% 145,057 49.11% 18,361 6.22% 295,361 Joe Courtney 3rd 142,570 51.64% 124,877 45.23% 8,634 3.13% 276,081 Rosa DeLauro 4th 149,528 53.50% 125,583 44.93% 4,395 1.57% 279,506 Jim Himes 5th 123,892 45.03% 138,822 50.46% 12,390 4.50% 275,104 Elizabeth EstyTotals694,51049.37%650,13846.22%62,1554.41%1,406,803
See also 2018 United States gubernatorial elections
Notes
References
External links Candidates at Vote Smart