Connecticut State Senate District 1
Connecticut State Senate District 1 is represented by John Fonfara (D).
As of the 2020 Census, Connecticut state senators represented an average of 100,231 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 99,490 residents.
About the office
Members of the Connecticut State Senate serve two-year terms without term limits.[1] Connecticut legislators assume office the Wednesday following the first Monday of the January next succeeding their election.[2]
Qualifications
Article III, Section 3 of the Connecticut Constitution states: "The senate shall consist of not less than thirty and not more than fifty members, each of whom shall have attained the age of twenty-one years and be an elector residing in the senatorial district from which he is elected."[3]
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2024[4] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $40,000/year | No per diem is paid. |
Vacancies
If there is a vacancy in the Connecticut General Assembly, 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 happens. All special elections must be held no later than 46 days after a governor's declaration. If the vacancy occurs between the 125th day and the 49th day before the day of the regular election, the special election will be held on the same day as the general election. If a vacancy occurs after the 49th day before the general election but before the Wednesday following the first Monday of January of the next-succeeding year, the governor shall not call a special election unless the vacant position is that of a member-elect.[5]
See sources: Connecticut Gen. Stat. § 9-215
District map
Redistricting
2020 redistricting cycle
The Connecticut Reapportionment Commission voted 8-0 in favor of new maps for the state's 151 House districts and 36 Senate districts on November 18 and November 23, 2021, respectively.[6][7] The commission, made up of four Democratic lawmakers, four Republican lawmakers, and a ninth member selected by the commissioners, took over the redistricting process after the previous Reapportionment Committee failed to meet its Sept. 15 deadline to select maps and win two-thirds approval from both chambers of the Connecticut General Assembly.[8] Census data was not delivered until Sept. 16. Unlike the committee, maps prepared by the Reapportionment Commission did not need to win approval from the General Assembly.[9] This map took effect for Connecticut's 2022 legislative elections.
How does redistricting in Connecticut work? In Connecticut, the state legislature is primarily responsible for drawing both congressional and state legislative district lines. Maps must be approved by a two-thirds vote in each chamber. If the state legislature is unable to approve new maps, a backup commission is convened to draw congressional and state legislative district boundaries. The commission consists of nine members. The four legislative leaders (i.e., the majority and minority leaders of each chamber of the legislature) appoint two members each. The ninth member is selected by the eight previously selected commissioners.[10][11]
The Connecticut Constitution requires that all districts, whether congressional or state legislative, be contiguous. In addition, state House districts must "not divide towns except where necessary to comply with other legal requirements."[12]
Connecticut State Senate District 1
until January 3, 2023
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Connecticut State Senate District 1
starting January 4, 2023
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Elections
2024
See also: Connecticut State Senate elections, 2024
General election
General election for Connecticut State Senate District 1
Incumbent John Fonfara defeated Luis Delgado in the general election for Connecticut State Senate District 1 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | John Fonfara (D) | 87.3 | 18,512 |
| Luis Delgado (G) | 12.7 | 2,696 | ||
| Total votes: 21,208 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent John Fonfara advanced from the Democratic primary for Connecticut State Senate District 1.
2022
- See also: Connecticut State Senate elections, 2022
General election
General election for Connecticut State Senate District 1
Incumbent John Fonfara defeated Alex Colaiacovo, Michael Oretade, and Alyssa Peterson in the general election for Connecticut State Senate District 1 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | John Fonfara (D) | 68.2 | 11,579 |
 | Alex Colaiacovo (R) | 28.8 | 4,893 | |
| Michael Oretade (G) | 1.9 | 318 | ||
| Alyssa Peterson (Independent) | 1.1 | 191 | ||
| Total votes: 16,981 | |||
| = 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 John Fonfara advanced from the Democratic primary for Connecticut State Senate District 1.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Alex Colaiacovo advanced from the Republican primary for Connecticut State Senate District 1.
2020
- See also: Connecticut State Senate elections, 2020
General election
General election for Connecticut State Senate District 1
Incumbent John Fonfara defeated Barbara Ruhe and Mary L. Sanders in the general election for Connecticut State Senate District 1 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | John Fonfara (D) | 71.8 | 20,583 |
 | Barbara Ruhe (R) | 24.9 | 7,141 | |
 | Mary L. Sanders (G) | 3.3 | 953 | |
| Total votes: 28,677 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Watch the Candidate Conversation for this race!
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent John Fonfara advanced from the Democratic primary for Connecticut State Senate District 1.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Barbara Ruhe advanced from the Republican primary for Connecticut State Senate District 1.
2018
General election
General election for Connecticut State Senate District 1
Incumbent John Fonfara defeated Barbara Ruhe and Barbara Barry in the general election for Connecticut State Senate District 1 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | John Fonfara (D) | 74.0 | 15,612 |
| Barbara Ruhe (R) | 23.9 | 5,044 | |
| Barbara Barry (G) | 2.1 | 447 | ||
| Total votes: 21,103 | |||
| = 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 John Fonfara defeated Barbara Ruhe and Barbara Barry in the Connecticut State Senate District 1 general election.[13]
| Connecticut State Senate, District 1 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  John Fonfara Incumbent |
74.81% | 20,437 | |
| Republican | Barbara Ruhe | 22.15% | 6,052 | |
| Green | Barbara Barry | 3.03% | 829 | |
| Total Votes | 27,318 | |||
| Source: Connecticut Secretary of the State | ||||
Incumbent John Fonfara ran unopposed in the Connecticut State Senate District 1 Democratic primary.
| Connecticut State Senate, District 1 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | John Fonfara Incumbent (unopposed) | |
Barbara Ruhe ran unopposed in the Connecticut State Senate District 1 Republican primary.
| Connecticut State Senate, District 1 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican | Barbara Ruhe (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 John W. Fonfara was unopposed in the Democratic primary, while Barbara J. Ruhe was unopposed in the Republican primary. Fonfara defeated Ruhe, Barbara A. Barry (G) and Alyssa S. Peterson (nonpartisan) in the general election.[14][15]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | John Fonfara Incumbent |
67.1% | 11,097 | |
| Republican | Barbara J. Ruhe | 25% | 4,135 | |
| Working Families | John Fonfara Incumbent | 4.9% | 811 | |
| Green | Barbara A. Barry | 2% | 335 | |
| Nonpartisan | Alyssa S. Peterson | 0.9% | 156 | |
| Total Votes | 16,534 | |||
2012
- See also: Connecticut State Senate elections, 2012
Elections for the office of Connecticut State Senate 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 36 seats were up for election in 2012. Incumbent John Fonfara defeated Barbara Ruhe (R) and Jeffery Russell (G) in the general election. Neither candidate faced opposition in the August 14 primary elections.[16] [17]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | John Fonfara Incumbent |
80.7% | 20,648 | |
| Republican | Barbara Ruhe | 17.4% | 4,447 | |
| Green | Jeffery Russell | 1.9% | 488 | |
| Total Votes | 25,583 | |||
Campaign contributions
From 2000 to 2024, candidates for Connecticut State Senate District 1 raised a total of $1,334,086. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $39,238 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money
| Campaign contributions, Connecticut State Senate District 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Amount | Candidates | Average |
| 2024 | $1,275 | 2 | $638 |
| 2022 | $124,501 | 4 | $31,125 |
| 2020 | $125,995 | 1 | $125,995 |
| 2018 | $115,812 | 3 | $38,604 |
| 2016 | $112,745 | 3 | $37,582 |
| 2014 | $113,890 | 4 | $28,473 |
| 2012 | $109,320 | 2 | $54,660 |
| 2010 | $268,309 | 3 | $89,436 |
| 2008 | $271,859 | 4 | $67,965 |
| 2006 | $36,586 | 1 | $36,586 |
| 2004 | $12,823 | 2 | $6,412 |
| 2002 | $25,677 | 3 | $8,559 |
| 2000 | $15,294 | 2 | $7,647 |
| Total | $1,334,086 | 34 | $39,238 |
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Connecticut General Assembly, "Length of terms of Connecticut State Senators," accessed December 16, 2013
- ↑ Connecticut Constitution, "Article Three, Section 10," accessed November 1, 2021
- ↑ Connecticut General Assembly, "Constitution of the State of Connecticut - Article 3, Section 3," accessed May 21, 2025
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
- ↑ Connecticut General Assembly, "Connecticut General Statutes," accessed February 10, 2021 (Statute 9-215(a), Connecticut General Statutes)
- ↑ News 12 Connecticut, "CT Reapportionment Commission unanimously votes to approve new statewide house district map," Nov. 18, 2021
- ↑ CT News Junkie, "Redistricting Commission Tweaks Senate Map," Nov. 23, 2021
- ↑ The ninth member only votes in the event of a tie.
- ↑ Connecticut General Assembly, "Frequently Asked Questions," accessed Oct. 12, 2021
- ↑ All About Redistricting, "Connecticut," accessed April 22, 2015
- ↑ Connecticut Constitution, "Article XXVI, Section 2.b," accessed April 22, 2015
- ↑ All About Redistricting, "Who draws the lines?" accessed March 25, 2015
- ↑ 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, "2012 General Election," October 29, 2013
- ↑ Connecticut Secretary of State, "2012 General Primary," October 29, 2013
