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Catherine Osten
Catherine Osten (Democratic Party) (also known as Cathy) is a member of the Connecticut State Senate, representing District 19. She assumed office on January 9, 2013. Her current term ends on January 6, 2027.
Osten (Democratic Party, Working Families Party, Independent Party) ran for re-election to the Connecticut State Senate to represent District 19. She won in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Biography
Catherine Osten graduated from the Norwich Free Academy in 1973 after which she enlisted in the U.S. Army. She spent four years in Japan as a translator-interpreter in Chinese Mandarin. When she returned to the United States, Osten attended Mohegan Community College before beginning her career with the state Corrections Department. She served in the Department of Corrections for over two decades, first as a corrections officer and then as a lieutenant. Osten served as president of the Correction Supervisors’ Council of CSEA/SEIU.[1]
Senator Osten was first elected to the Connecticut State Senate in 2012, representing the 19th District. In the 2019 session, Osten served as chair of the Appropriations Committee, vice-chair of the Labor & Public Employees and Public Safety & Security committees, and member of the Legislative Management, Regulation Review, Transportation, and Veterans' Affairs committees.[1]
Committee assignments
Note: This membership information was last updated in September 2023. Ballotpedia completes biannual updates of committee membership. If you would like to send us an update, email us at: editor@ballotpedia.org.
2023-2024
Osten was assigned to the following committees:
- Appropriations Committee, Co-Chair
- General Law Committee
- Legislative Management Committee
- Public Safety and Security Committee, Vice Chair
- Legislative Regulation Review Committee
- Transportation Committee
- Veterans' Affairs Committee
2021-2022
Osten was assigned to the following committees:
- General Law Committee, Member
- Legislative Management Committee, Member
- Legislative Regulation Review Committee, Member
- Appropriations Committee, Co-Chair
- Public Safety and Security Committee, Co-Chair
- Transportation Committee, Member
- Veterans' Affairs Committee, Member
Note: Osten was appointed acting chair of the Public Safety and Security Committee on May 25, 2021, following the removal of Dennis Bradley (D) from the committee.[2]
2019-2020
Osten was assigned to the following committees:
- Appropriations Committee, Co-Chair
- Veterans' Affairs Committee
- Labor and Public Employees Committee, Vice Chair
- Legislative Management Committee
- Public Safety and Security Committee, Vice Chair
- Legislative Regulation Review Committee
- Transportation Committee
2017 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
| Connecticut committee assignments, 2017 |
|---|
| • Appropriations, Co-chair |
| • Housing, Vice chair |
| • Labor and Public Employees, Vice chair |
| • Transportation |
| • Veterans' Affairs |
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Osten served on the following committees:
| Connecticut committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| • Aging, Vice chair |
| • Labor and Public Employees, Vice chair |
| • Planning and Development, Chair |
2013-2014
At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Osten served on the following committees:
| Connecticut committee assignments, 2013 |
|---|
| • Labor and Public Employees, Chair |
| • Planning and Development, Vice Chair |
| • Public Safety and Security |
| • Veterans' Affairs |
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2024
See also: Connecticut State Senate elections, 2024
General election
General election for Connecticut State Senate District 19
Incumbent Catherine Osten defeated Jason Guidone in the general election for Connecticut State Senate District 19 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Catherine Osten (D / Working Families Party / Independent Party) | 56.9 | 26,902 |
 | Jason Guidone (R) | 43.1 | 20,360 | |
| Total votes: 47,262 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Catherine Osten advanced from the Democratic primary for Connecticut State Senate District 19.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Jason Guidone advanced from the Republican primary for Connecticut State Senate District 19.
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Osten in this election.
2022
See also: Connecticut State Senate elections, 2022
General election
General election for Connecticut State Senate District 19
Incumbent Catherine Osten defeated Pietro Camardella in the general election for Connecticut State Senate District 19 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Catherine Osten (D / Working Families Party / Independent Party) | 56.0 | 19,670 |
| Pietro Camardella (R) | 44.0 | 15,458 | ||
| Total votes: 35,128 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Catherine Osten advanced from the Democratic primary for Connecticut State Senate District 19.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Pietro Camardella advanced from the Republican primary for Connecticut State Senate District 19.
2020
See also: Connecticut State Senate elections, 2020
General election
General election for Connecticut State Senate District 19
Incumbent Catherine Osten defeated Steve Weir and William Russell in the general election for Connecticut State Senate District 19 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Catherine Osten (D / Working Families Party) | 53.4 | 25,848 |
 | Steve Weir (R) | 44.8 | 21,680 | |
| William Russell (Independent Party) | 1.8 | 892 | ||
| Total votes: 48,420 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Catherine Osten advanced from the Democratic primary for Connecticut State Senate District 19.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Steve Weir advanced from the Republican primary for Connecticut State Senate District 19.
2018
- See also: Connecticut State Senate elections, 2018
In addition to running as a Democratic Party candidate, Osten cross-filed to also run with the Working Families Party in 2018.[3]
General election
General election for Connecticut State Senate District 19
Incumbent Catherine Osten defeated Mark Lounsbury in the general election for Connecticut State Senate District 19 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Catherine Osten (D) | 57.9 | 21,389 |
| Mark Lounsbury (R) | 42.1 | 15,567 | ||
| Total votes: 36,956 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2016
- See also: Connecticut State Senate elections, 2016
Elections for the Connecticut State Senate 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 Catherine Osten defeated Barbara Crouch in the Connecticut State Senate District 19 general election.[4]
| Connecticut State Senate, District 19 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Catherine Osten Incumbent |
58.51% | 24,614 | |
| Republican | Barbara Crouch | 41.49% | 17,452 | |
| Total Votes | 42,066 | |||
| Source: Connecticut Secretary of the State | ||||
Incumbent Catherine Osten ran unopposed in the Connecticut State Senate District 19 Democratic primary.
| Connecticut State Senate, District 19 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | Catherine Osten Incumbent (unopposed) | |
Barbara Crouch ran unopposed in the Connecticut State Senate District 19 Republican primary.
| Connecticut State Senate, District 19 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican | Barbara Crouch (unopposed) | |
2014
- See also: Connecticut State Senate elections, 2014
Elections for the Connecticut State Senate 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 Catherine A. Osten was unopposed in the Democratic primary, while Steven Everett was unopposed in the Republican primary. Osten defeated Everett in the general election.[5][6][7]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Catherine A. Osten Incumbent |
51.1% | 15,057 | |
| Republican | Steven Everett | 40.9% | 12,047 | |
| Working Families | Catherine A. Osten Incumbent | 4.6% | 1,369 | |
| Independent | Steven Everett | 3.4% | 999 | |
| Total Votes | 29,472 | |||
2012
- See also: Connecticut State Senate elections, 2012
Osten ran in the 2012 election for Connecticut State Senate District 19. Osten defeated Tom Reynolds in the Democratic primary on August 14, 2012. She defeated Christopher Coutu (R) in the general election on November 6, 2012.[8][9][10]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Catherine A. Osten |
51.6% | 19,882 | |
| Republican | Christopher Coutu | 48.4% | 18,679 | |
| Total Votes | 38,561 | |||
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|
|
Catherine Osten |
57.6% | 2,269 |
| Tom Reynolds | 42.4% | 1,668 |
| Total Votes | 3,937 | |
Endorsements
Osten received endorsements from:[11]
- Connecticut State Employees Association/Service Employees International (CSEA/SEIU)
- 19th District previous incumbent Edith Prague
2010
Osten was unopposed in the August 10 primary. Osten was defeated by incumbent Republican Christopher Coutu in the November 2 general election.
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Catherine Osten did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
2022
Catherine Osten did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2020
Catherine Osten did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
2014
Osten's website highlighted the following campaign themes:[12]
Demand the best from and for our public schools
- Excerpt: "As a public school graduate, a mother of a public school graduate, and grandmother of children in public schools, Cathy knows the importance of making certain our schools provide children with a great education."
Keeping families safe
- Excerpt: "As a corrections officer and a leading advocate of Megan’s Law, Cathy has dedicated her life to making certain families are safe"
Fighting for seniors
- Excerpt: "Whether it is by keeping property taxes low or reforming state rules and regulation so that seniors are not forced into nursing homes, Cathy will fight so that seniors can choose to stay in their homes."
Standing with Women
- Excerpt: "From Megan’s Law to Women’s Rights in the workplace, Cathy has a record of standing up for women and ensuring that progress is made that is second to none."
Protecting our Families
- Excerpt: "From workers rights, to keeping taxes low, to making sure our school systems are well-funded, Cathy Osten will protect our families."
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Connecticut scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2024
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2024, click [show]. |
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In 2024, the Connecticut State Legislature was in session from February 7 to May 8.
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2023
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show]. |
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In 2023, the Connecticut State Legislature was in session from January 4 to June 7.
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2022
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show]. |
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In 2022, the Connecticut State Legislature was in session from February 9 to May 4.
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2021
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show]. |
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In 2021, the Connecticut State Legislature was in session from January 6 to June 9.
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2020
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show]. |
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In 2020, the Connecticut State Legislature was in session from February 5 to May 6. The legislature held a special session from July 21 to July 27.
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2019
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show]. |
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In 2019, the Connecticut General Assembly was in session from January 9 through June 5.
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2018
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show]. |
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In 2018, the Connecticut General Assembly was in session from February 7 to May 9.
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2017
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show]. |
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In 2017, the Connecticut General Assembly was in session from January 4 through June 7. The legislature held a veto session on July 24. The legislature held its first special session on July 31. The legislature held its second special session from September 14 to September 16. The legislature held another special session on October 3. State lawmakers held their fourth special session from October 25 to October 26. The legislature met again in special session from November 14 to November 15.
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2016
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show]. |
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In 2016, the Connecticut General Assembly was in session from February 3 through May 4. The Legislature held a special session from May 12-13 to pass the state budget.
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2015
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show]. |
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In 2015, the Connecticut General Assembly was in session from January 7 through June 3.
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2014
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show]. |
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In 2014, the Connecticut General Assembly was in session from February 5 to May 7.
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2013
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show]. |
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In 2013, the Connecticut General Assembly was in session from January 9 to June 5. Ballotpedia staff did not find any state legislative scorecards published for this state in 2013. If you are aware of one, please contact editor@ballotpedia.org to let us know. |
See also
2024 Elections
External links
|
Officeholder Connecticut State Senate District 19 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Connecticut State Senate, “Senator Cathy Osten” accessed October 14, 2019
- ↑ Connecticut Senate Democrats, "Senate President Martin Looney Removes Senator Bradley from All Committee Assignments Pending Resolution of Federal Criminal Charges," May 25, 2021
- ↑ Connecticut Secretary of State, "2018 List of Candidates," accessed October 29, 2018
- ↑ Connecticut Secretary of the State, "Election Night Reporting, 2016 General Election," accessed December 14, 2016
- ↑ Connecticut Secretary of State, "Official candidate list," accessed July 15, 2014
- ↑ Connecticut Secretary of State, "Official primary and general election results," accessed November 26, 2014
- ↑ Connecticut Secretary of State, "Official primary and general election results," accessed November 26, 2014
- ↑ Connecticut Secretary of State, "Candidate List," accessed June 18, 2012
- ↑ Connecticut Secretary of State, "Official Primary Results for 2012," August 14, 2012
- ↑ Connecticut Secretary of State, "Election Results 2012" accessed November 17, 2012
- ↑ Norwich Bulletin, "Osten endorsed for state Senate" accessed August 7, 2012
- ↑ osten2012.com, "Issues," accessed October 8, 2014
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Edith Prague (D) |
Connecticut State Senate District 19 2013-Present |
Succeeded by - |
