Connecticut’s fifty-sixth state house district is represented by Democratic Representative Michael Winkler.

Connecticut state legislators represent an average of 23,670 residents. After the 2000 Census, each member represented 22,553 residents.

About the office

Members of the Connecticut House of Representatives serve two-year terms and are not subject to term limits. Connecticut legislators assume office the Wednesday following the first Monday of the January next succeeding their election.

Qualifications

Article III, Section 4 of the Connecticut Constitution states: "The house of representatives shall consist of not less than one hundred twenty-five and not more than two hundred twenty-five members, each of whom shall be an elector residing in the assembly district from which he is elected. Each assembly district shall be contiguous as to territory and shall elect no more than one representative. For the purpose of forming assembly districts no town shall be divided except for the purpose of forming assembly districts wholly within the town."

Salaries

Vacancies

If there is a vacancy in the house, a special election must be conducted to fill the vacant seat. The governor must call for an election no later than 10 days after the vacancy happened. All special elections must be held no later than 46 days after a governor's declaration. If the vacancy happened with less than 125 days left before the general election, the special election must be held on the same day as the general election. No election can be called by the governor if the vacancy happened with less than 49 days left before the general election.

Elections

2020

Elections for the office of Connecticut House of Representatives will take place in 2020. The general election will be held on November 3, 2020. A primary is scheduled for August 11, 2020. The filing deadline is June 9, 2020.

2018

The primary elections were canceled.

The primary elections were canceled.

2016

Elections for the Connecticut House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on August 9, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was June 7, 2016. Incumbent Claire Janowski (D) did not seek re-election.

Michael Winkler defeated Jim Tedford in the Connecticut House of Representatives District 56 general election.

Connecticut House of Representatives, District 56 General Election, 2016

Michael Winkler ran unopposed in the Connecticut House of Representatives District 56 Democratic primary. Jim Tedford ran unopposed in the Connecticut House of Representatives District 56 Republican primary.

2014

Elections for the Connecticut House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on August 12, 2014, and a general election on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 10, 2014. Incumbent Claire L. Janowski was unopposed in the Democratic primary, while Jim Tedford was unopposed in the Republican primary. Janowski defeated Tedford in the general election.

Connecticut House of Representatives District 56, General Election, 2014

2012

Elections for the office of Connecticut House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on August 14, 2012, and a general election on November 6, 2012. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 12, 2012. A total of 151 seats were up for election in 2012. Incumbent Claire Janowski ran unopposed in the August 14 primary election before winning the general election without opposition.

Campaign contributions

From 2002 to 2016, candidates for Connecticut House of Representatives District 56 raised a total of $360,681. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $21,217 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, Connecticut House of Representatives District 56