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John Fonfara
1997 - Present
2027
28
John Fonfara (Democratic Party) is a member of the Connecticut State Senate, representing District 1. He assumed office in 1997. His current term ends on January 6, 2027.
Fonfara (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the Connecticut State Senate to represent District 1. He won in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Biography
Fonfara earned his B.A. in political science from the University of Connecticut in 1981. He went on to receive his M.A. in Public Policy from Trinity College in 1991.
Fonfara is an Advertising Consultant and Vice President of Marketing.
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
Fonfara was assigned to the following committees:
- Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee, Co-Chair
- General Law Committee, Vice Chair
- Housing Committee
- Legislative Management Committee
- Public Safety and Security Committee
2021-2022
Fonfara was assigned to the following committees:
- General Law Committee, Vice Chair
- Legislative Management Committee, Member
- Planning and Development Committee, Member
- Public Safety and Security Committee, Member
- Executive and Legislative Nominations Committee, Member
- Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee, Co-Chair
2019-2020
Fonfara was assigned to the following committees:
- Internship Committee (Decommissioned)
- General Law Committee, Co-Chair
- Energy and Technology Committee, Vice Chair
- Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee, Co-Chair
- Legislative Management Committee
- Planning and Development Committee
2017 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
| Connecticut committee assignments, 2017 |
|---|
| • Finance, Revenue and Bonding, Co-chair |
| • Legislative Management |
| • Planning and Development, Vice chair |
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Fonfara served on the following committees:
| Connecticut committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| • Finance, Revenue and Bonding, Chair |
| • Legislative Management |
| • Planning and Development |
| • Program Review and Investigations, Chair |
2013-2014
At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Fonfara served on the following committees:
| Connecticut committee assignments, 2013 |
|---|
| • Finance, Revenue and Bonding, Chair |
| • General Law, Vice Chair |
| • Internship |
| • Legislative Management |
| • Program Review and Investigations, Ranking Member |
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Fonfara served on these committees:
| Connecticut committee assignments, 2011 |
|---|
| • Education, Vice Chair |
| • Energy and Technology, Co-Chair |
| • Finance, Revenue and Bonding, Vice Chair |
| • Program Review and Investigations, Co-Chair |
2009-2010
In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Fonfara served on these committees:
| Connecticut committee assignments, 2009 |
|---|
| • Education, Vice Chair |
| • Energy and Technology, Co-Chair |
| • Finance, Revenue and Bonding |
| • Program Review and Investigations |
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 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.
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Fonfara in this election.
2023
See also: Mayoral election in Hartford, Connecticut (2023)
General election
General election for Mayor of Hartford
The following candidates ran in the general election for Mayor of Hartford on November 7, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Arunan Arulampalam (D) | 62.0 | 4,702 |
| Nick Lebron (Independent) | 12.0 | 907 | ||
 | Eric Coleman (Independent) (Write-in) | 10.6 | 803 | |
| Michael McGarry (R) | 6.4 | 485 | ||
| J. Stan McCauley (Independent) | 5.8 | 443 | ||
| Giselle Gigi Jacobs (Independent) | 2.8 | 213 | ||
 | Mark Stewart Greenstein (Independent) | 0.2 | 18 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 7 | ||
| Total votes: 7,578 | |||
| = 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
Democratic primary for Mayor of Hartford
Arunan Arulampalam defeated Eric Coleman and John Fonfara in the Democratic primary for Mayor of Hartford on September 12, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Arunan Arulampalam | 40.5 | 2,121 |
| Eric Coleman | 30.1 | 1,574 | |
| John Fonfara | 29.4 | 1,540 | |
| Total votes: 5,235 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Fonfara in this election.
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. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
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
- See also: Connecticut State Senate elections, 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.[1]
| 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.[2][3]
| 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
Fonfara ran in the 2012 election for Connecticut State Senate District 1. Fonfara ran unopposed in the Democratic primary on August 14, 2012. He defeated Barbara Ruhe (R) and Jeffery Russell (G) in the general election on November 6, 2012.[4][5][6]
| 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 | |||
2010
- See also: Connecticut State Senate elections, 2010
Fonfara ran for re-election to the 1st District seat in 2010. He had no primary opposition. He defeated Barbara Ruhe (R) in the November 2 general election.
| Connecticut State Senate, District 1 General Election (2010) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
| John Fonfara (D)
|
11,980 | |||
| Barbara Ruhe (R) | 3,478 | |||
| Martha S. Kelly (G) | 369 | |||
2008
- See also: Connecticut State Senate elections, 2008
On November 4, 2008, Fonfara won re-election to the 1st District Seat in the Connecticut State Senate, defeating opponents Barbara Ruhe (R) and Michael DeRosa (G).[7]
| Connecticut State Senate, District 1 (2008) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
| John Fonfara (D)
|
17,402 | |||
| Barbara Ruhe (R) | 4,027 | |||
| Michael DeRosa (G) | 1,109 | |||
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
John Fonfara did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
2023
John Fonfara did not complete Ballotpedia's 2023 Candidate Connection survey.
2022
John Fonfara did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2020
John Fonfara did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
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. |
2012
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2012, click [show]. |
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In 2012, the Connecticut General Assembly was in session from February 8 to May 9.
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Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Fonfara has a daughter.
See also
2024 Elections
External links
|
Candidate Connecticut State Senate District 1 |
Officeholder Connecticut State Senate District 1 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ 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, "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
- ↑ Connecticut Secretary of State, "2008 General Election Results," November 4, 2008
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by - |
Connecticut State Senate District 1 1997-Present |
Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by - |
Connecticut House of Representatives District 6 1993-1997 |
Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by - |
Connecticut House of Representatives District 4 1987-1993 |
Succeeded by - |
