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Norm Needleman

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Norm Needleman
Image of Norm Needleman

Democratic Party

Connecticut State Senate District 33
Tenure

2019 - Present

Term ends

2027

Years in position

6

Predecessor

Compensation

Base salary

$40,000/year

Per diem

$No per diem is paid.

Elections and appointments
Last elected

November 5, 2024

Education

Bachelor's

Adelphi University

Personal
Profession
CEO and founder of Tower Laboratories
Contact

Official website

Official Twitter

Official Instagram

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Personal Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

Norm Needleman (Democratic Party) is a member of the Connecticut State Senate, representing District 33. He assumed office in 2019. His current term ends on January 6, 2027.

Needleman (Democratic Party, Independent Party) ran for re-election to the Connecticut State Senate to represent District 33. He won in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Biography

Norm Needleman earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Adelphi University. His professional experience includes working as the CEO and founder of Tower Laboratories. His organizational affiliations include the Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments.[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

Needleman was assigned to the following committees:

2021-2022

Needleman was assigned to the following committees:

2019-2020

Needleman was assigned to the following committees:


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 33

Incumbent Norm Needleman defeated Jeff Duigou in the general election for Connecticut State Senate District 33 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Norm Needleman
Norm Needleman (D / Independent Party)
 
56.9
 
34,825
Image of Jeff Duigou
Jeff Duigou (R)
 
43.1
 
26,427

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 61,252
Candidate Connection = 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 Norm Needleman advanced from the Democratic primary for Connecticut State Senate District 33.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Jeff Duigou advanced from the Republican primary for Connecticut State Senate District 33.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Needleman in this election.

2022

See also: Connecticut State Senate elections, 2022

General election

General election for Connecticut State Senate District 33

Incumbent Norm Needleman defeated Brandon Goff in the general election for Connecticut State Senate District 33 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Norm Needleman
Norm Needleman (D / Independent Party)
 
54.7
 
26,816
Image of Brandon Goff
Brandon Goff (R) Candidate Connection
 
45.3
 
22,212

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 49,028
Candidate Connection = 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 Norm Needleman advanced from the Democratic primary for Connecticut State Senate District 33.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Brandon Goff advanced from the Republican primary for Connecticut State Senate District 33.

2020

See also: Connecticut State Senate elections, 2020

General election

General election for Connecticut State Senate District 33

Incumbent Norm Needleman defeated Brendan Saunders in the general election for Connecticut State Senate District 33 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Norm Needleman
Norm Needleman (D / Independent Party)
 
54.0
 
33,351
Image of Brendan Saunders
Brendan Saunders (R) Candidate Connection
 
46.0
 
28,432

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 61,783
Candidate Connection = 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 Norm Needleman advanced from the Democratic primary for Connecticut State Senate District 33.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Brendan Saunders advanced from the Republican primary for Connecticut State Senate District 33.

2018

See also: Connecticut State Senate elections, 2018

General election

General election for Connecticut State Senate District 33

Norm Needleman defeated Melissa Ziobron in the general election for Connecticut State Senate District 33 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Norm Needleman
Norm Needleman (D) Candidate Connection
 
50.1
 
25,280
Image of Melissa Ziobron
Melissa Ziobron (R)
 
49.9
 
25,195

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 50,475
Candidate Connection = 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 Art Linares defeated Norm Needleman and Colin Bennett in the Connecticut State Senate District 33 general election.[2]

Connecticut State Senate, District 33 General Election, 2016
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.png Art Linares Incumbent 56.92% 31,594
     Democratic Norm Needleman 41.36% 22,954
     Green Colin Bennett 1.72% 954
Total Votes 55,502
Source: Connecticut Secretary of the State


Norm Needleman ran unopposed in the Connecticut State Senate District 33 Democratic primary.

Connecticut State Senate, District 33 Democratic Primary, 2016
Party Candidate
    Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Norm Needleman  (unopposed)

Incumbent Art Linares ran unopposed in the Connecticut State Senate District 33 Republican primary.

Connecticut State Senate, District 33 Republican Primary, 2016
Party Candidate
    Republican Green check mark transparent.png Art Linares Incumbent (unopposed)


Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Norm Needleman did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

2022

Norm Needleman did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Norm Needleman did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

2018

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's candidate surveys
Candidate Connection

Norm Needleman participated in Ballotpedia's candidate survey on September 4, 2018. The survey questions appear in bold, and Norm Needleman's responses follow below.[3]

What would be your top three priorities, if elected?

“ My top three priorities will be growing our state's economy with targeted investments and a long term economic plan, balancing our state's budget to invest more in our local education system, and protecting women's rights.[4][5] ”

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Why?

“ I am personally passionate about budgets, taxes, and job creation. As First Selectman of Essex, I brought Democrats and Republicans together, found consensus, solved problems, and kept property taxes among the lowest in the state without cutting services. Using my over 35 years of experience running a manufacturing company I have also helped Essex grow businesses and create jobs. By leading new economic development initiatives our town is now home to over 700 businesses.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many[5] ”

Ballotpedia also asked the candidate a series of optional questions. Norm Needleman answered the following:

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

“ Building positive relationships with other legislators is critical for getting work done. In Essex, almost all of our votes on the Board of Selectmen are bipartisan. That's the kind of teamwork I will bring to Hartford.[5] ”

Ballotpedia biographical submission form

The candidate completed Ballotpedia's biographical information submission form:

“ First Selectman of Essex. I am in my fourth two-year term[5] ”
—Norm Needleman[1]

2016

Needleman's campaign website highlighted the following issues:[6]

“
  1. Norm is an independent problem solver. In Norm’s business, the best idea wins, no matter who proposes it. As First Selectman, he has worked closely with Republicans, Democrats, and Independents and opposed Governors of both parties when the town’s best interests required it. Norm will work across party lines and call for shared contribution to fixing our problems.
  2. Norm’s top priority is economic growth. He understands that the path forward is fiscal responsibility and balanced budgets. He believes in significant economic development investment, and opposes onerous taxes on businesses and individuals. He will be a leader in promoting bi-partisan collaboration to solve the state’s fiscal problems.
  3. Norm will foster job creation. Norm knows how to create good jobs – he’s done it for decades. As a CEO, Norm understands that flawed government policies can prevent companies from achieving their potential. He will strengthen small business incentives and cut red tape.
  4. Norm understands that education and the environment are key to our future. Norm’s children and grandchildren have attended local schools. He knows an excellent education system is key to our quality of life. Having supported local conservation groups for many years, he understands the priceless heritage of our river valley. Norm will continue to pursue innovative measures to protect our natural resources and keep our parks open and clean.
  5. Norm will make Hartford more responsive to our towns. He has a proven track record of effective and efficient town governance. Norm will work to build a state budget process that doesn’t burden our towns with uncertainty, and he will fight to save the state grants that fund essential local services.[5]
 ”

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.

Norm Needleman campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2024* Connecticut State Senate District 33Won general$56,368 $6,904
2022Connecticut State Senate District 33Won general$304,763 $203,228
2020Connecticut State Senate District 33Won general$539,832 N/A**
2018Connecticut State Senate District 33Won general$610,739 N/A**
Grand total$1,511,703 $210,132
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in Connecticut

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


2023


2022


2021


2020


2019






See also

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External links

Candidate

Connecticut State Senate District 33
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    Officeholder

    Connecticut State Senate District 33
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    Footnotes

    1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Information submitted on Ballotpedia’s biographical information submission form on September 4, 2018
    2. ↑ Connecticut Secretary of the State, "Election Night Reporting, 2016 General Election," accessed December 14, 2016
    3. ↑ Note: The candidate's answers have been reproduced here verbatim without edits or corrections by Ballotpedia.
    4. ↑ Ballotpedia's candidate survey, "Norm Needleman's responses," September 4, 2018
    5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
    6. ↑ Official campaign website, "Issues," accessed September 21, 2016

    Political offices
    Preceded by
    Art Linares (R)     		Connecticut State Senate District 33
    2019-Present    		 Succeeded by
    -


    Current members of the Connecticut State Senate
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    Majority Leader:Bob Duff
    Minority Leader:Stephen Harding
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    MD Rahman (D)
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    Democratic Party (25)
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