The 1984 Connecticut State Senate elections took place as a part of the biennial 1984 United States elections. All 36 seats were up for re-election. Senators serve two year terms and are up for re-election every election cycle.

Mainly with the help of Reagan's coattails, as he had won Connecticut by twenty-one points on the same ballot, the Republicans took control of the Senate, managing to secure a two-thirds supermajority over the Democrats, although failing to secure a supermajority in the state house.

Retirements Three incumbents did not seek re-election.

Democrats District 18: Mary A. Martin retired. District 20: Richard F. Schneller retired.

Republican District 32: William "Bill" F. Rogers III retired.

Special elections Two special elections occurred between 1982 and the general election in 1984. One was held on May 2, 1983, for Democratic Senator Audrey P. Beck's seat in the 29th district after she committed suicide on March 12, 1983. Five-term Democratic state representative Kevin P. Johnston managed to beat Republican lawyer and former Windham selectman candidate Dennis Gamache 57% to 43%, holding the seat Democratic.

Another was held for the 27th district after Democratic Senator Thom Serrani resigned when he was elected Mayor of Stamford. On February 21, 1984, Democrat state representative Anthony Truglia beat Republican candidate Marie Hawe 63% to 37%.

Incumbents defeated Ten incumbents were defeated in general elections.

In general election

Independents District 2: Wilber G. Smith lost re-election to Democrat Frank D. Barrows after he had switched from Democratic to Independent.

Democrats District 9: Cynthia Matthews lost re-election to Richard B. Johnston. District 12: Regina R. Smith lost re-election to Richard S. Eaton. District 15: Robert G. Dorr lost re-election to Thomas F. Upson. District 16: William J. Sullivan lost re-election to Joseph Markley. District 17: Eugene A. Skowronski lost re-election to John F. Consoli. District 19: James J. Murphy Jr. lost re-election to Eric R. Benson. District 22: Howard T. Owens Jr. lost re-election to Lee Scarpetti. District 24: Wayne A. Baker lost re-election to Robert T. Miller. District 35: Michael J. Skelley lost re-election to James D. Giulietti.

Results

District 1

District 2 Incumbent Democrat Wilber G. Smith had many past quarrels with the Hartford Democratic Party leadership, challenging its city council with his own "Neighborhood Slate" for election in 1983. Many in the party viewed Smith as "divisive", and sought to nominate Frank D. Barrows, a relatively unknown party organizer who was deemed as more "cooperative" with the party. Hartford mayor Thirman Milner, who Smith was a close advisor to, supported the incumbent Senator.

The Democratic convention on July 24 ended up being a dramatic defeat for Smith, who received only four (or 8.5%) votes out of the total 47 delegates voting, failing to meet the 10 vote (or 20%) threshold to force a primary. The vote was a clear sign of the delegates' irritation with Smith, with Barrows receiving 32 (or 68%) of the total delegate vote, winning the nomination outright. Soon after, Smith announced his campaign for re-election as an independent.

Democratic convention, July 24 Candidate Round 1 Votes % Frank D. Barrows 32 68.08% Renelle Staton 6 12.77% Bernard Crowley 5 10.64% Wilber G. Smith 4 8.51% Inactive Ballots 0 ballots

District 3

District 4

District 5

District 6

District 7

District 8

District 9

District 10

District 11

District 12

District 13

District 14

District 15

District 16

District 17

District 18

District 19

District 20

District 21

District 22

District 23

District 24

District 25

District 26

District 27

District 28

District 29

District 30

District 31

District 32

District 33

District 34

District 35

District 36

References