Share on WeChat
https://www.powervoter.us:443/office
Copy the link and open WeChat to share.
 Share on WeChat
Copy the link and open WeChat to share.
 Share on WeChat
Scan QRCode using WeChat,and then click the icon at the top-right corner of your screen.
 Share on WeChat
Scan QRCode using WeChat,and then click the icon at the top-right corner of your screen.

Connecticut, Governor

Businessman Ned Lamont (D) defeated businessman Bob Stefanowski (R), Mark Stewart Greenstein (Amigo Constitution), Oz Griebel (I), and Rod Hanscomb (L) in the general election on November 6, 2018, for governor of Connecticut.

Incumbent Gov. Dan Malloy (D) announced in April 2017 that he would not seek re-election to a third term in 2018, leaving the seat open. Of the ten preceding gubernatorial elections, a Democratic candidate won five—including Malloy's victories in 2010 and 2014—a Republican candidate won four, and an independent candidate won one. The last time a Connecticut gubernatorial election was won by a candidate of the same political party as the outgoing governor was in 1924 when Hiram Bingham (R) was elected to succeed Charles Templeton (R). In the 2016 presidential election, Hillary Clinton (D) carried the state by a margin of 14 percentage points.

Lamont's victory preserved the state's Democratic trifecta. At the time of the 2018 election, Connecticut had been a Democratic trifecta since Gov. Dan Malloy (D) took office in 2011.

Connecticut was one of 36 states that held an election for governor in 2018. Democrats gained seven previously Republican-held seats, and Republicans gained one previously independent-held seat. Heading into the 2018 elections, there were 16 Democratic governors, 33 Republican governors, and one independent governor. In 2018, 26 of the 33 states with a Republican governor held a gubernatorial election, while nine out of the 16 states with a Democratic governor held a gubernatorial election. Seventeen of the 36 seats up for election were open seats (four Democratic, 12 Republican, and one independent), meaning that the sitting governor was not seeking re-election.

Polls

Governor of Connecticut, 2018

Poll Poll sponsor Ned Lamont (D) Bob Stefanowski (R)Rod Hanscomb (L)Oz Griebel (I)Undecided/OtherMargin of errorSample size
Gravis Marketing
(October 30 - November 1, 2018)
N/A 46%37%0%9%8%+/-3.8681
Sacred Heart University/GreatBlue Research
(October 29-31, 2018)
Hearst Connecticut Media Group 38%40%0%9%13%+/-4.3500
Quinnipiac University
(October 22-28, 2018)
N/A 47%43%0%7%4%+/-4.01,201
Sacred Heart University
(October 13-17, 2018)
Hearst Connecticut Media Group 40%36%0%8%16%+/-4.3501
Public Policy Polling
(October 8-9, 2018)
Change Course CT PAC 43%38%0%0%19%+/---828
AVERAGES 42.8% 38.8% 0% 6.6% 12% +/-3.28 742.2

Governor of Connecticut, 2018

Poll Poll sponsor Ned Lamont (D) Bob Stefanowski (R)Rod Hanscomb (L)Oz Griebel (I)Undecided/OtherMargin of errorSample size
Quinnipiac University
(October 3-8, 2018)
N/A 47%39%0%11%3%+/-5.0767
Sacred Heart University
(September 12-17, 2018)
Hearst Connecticut Media Group 43%37%0%0%20%+/-4.3501
Quinnipiac University
(August 16-21, 2018)
N/A 46%33%1%4%17%+/-3.91,029
Sacred Heart University
(August 16-21, 2018)
GreatBlue Research 41%40%0%0%23%+/-4.3502
AVERAGES 44.25% 37.25% 0.25% 3.75% 15.75% +/-4.38 699.75
Governor of Connecticut, 2018 (hypothetical Lamont vs. Boughton matchup)
Poll Ned Lamont (D) Mark Boughton (R)Undecided/OtherMargin of errorSample size
Tremont Public Advisers
(May 3-5, 2018)
50%40%11%+/-4.5550

Governor of Connecticut, 2018

Poll Generic Democratic candidate Generic Republican candidateMark Boughton (R)Luke Bronin (D)Susan Bysiewicz (D)Ned Lamont (D)David Walker (R)Erin Stewart (R)Undecided/OtherMargin of errorSample size
Tremont Public Advisors
(February 15-17, 2018)
26%24.6%11.1%0%10.0%8.8%0%15.2%4.3%+/-3.01,003
Tremont Public Advisors
(December 12-14, 2017)
22.5%35.4%9.3%10.6%9.2%7.5%5.6%0%0%+/-3.01,150
AVERAGES 24.25% 30% 10.2% 5.3% 9.6% 8.15% 2.8% 7.6% 2.15% +/-3 1,076.5

Race ratings

The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, and Sabato's Crystal Ball. Each race rating indicates if one party is perceived to have an advantage in the race and, if so, the degree of advantage. Race ratings are informed by a number of factors, including polling, candidate quality, and election result history in the race's district or state.

Race ratings: Connecticut gubernatorial election, 2018

Race trackerRace ratings
November 5, 2018October 30, 2018October 23, 2018October 16, 2018
The Cook Political ReportToss-upToss-upToss-upToss-up
Inside Elections with Nathan L. GonzalesLean DemocraticLean DemocraticLean DemocraticLean Democratic
Larry J. Sabato's Crystal BallLean DemocraticLean DemocraticLean DemocraticLean Democratic

Election history

2014

In the 2014 gubernatorial election, incumbent Dan Malloy (D) defeated Tom Foley (R).

Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut, 2014

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngDan Malloy/Nancy Wyman Incumbent 50.7% 554,314
Republican Tom Foley/Heather Somers 48.2% 526,295
Independent Joe Visconti/Chester Harris 1% 11,456
Nonpartisan Write-in votes 0.1% 708
Total Votes 1,092,773
Election results via Connecticut Secretary of State

2010

In the 2010 gubernatorial election, Dan Malloy (D) defeated Tom Foley (R).

Governor, Lieutenant Governor, 2010

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngDan Malloy & Nancy Wyman 49.5% 567,278
Republican Tom Foley & Mark Boughton 49% 560,874
Independent Thomas E. Marsh & Cicero B. Booker, Jr. 1.5% 17,629
Total Votes 1,145,781

Demographics

Demographic data for Connecticut

ConnecticutU.S.
Total population:3,584,730316,515,021
Land area (sq mi):4,8423,531,905
Gender
Female:51.3%50.8%
Race and ethnicity**
White:77.3%73.6%
Black/African American:10.3%12.6%
Asian:4.2%5.1%
Native American:0.2%0.8%
Pacific Islander:0%0.2%
Two or more:2.8%3%
Hispanic/Latino:14.7%17.1%
Education
High school graduation rate:89.9%86.7%
College graduation rate:37.6%29.8%
Income
Median household income:$70,331$53,889
Persons below poverty level:12.2%11.3%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015)
for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Connecticut.

As of July 2016, Connecticut's three largest cities were Bridgeport (pop. est. 146,579), New Haven (pop. est. 131,014), and Stamford (pop. est. 130,824).