Paul Formica
Paul Formica (Republican Party) was a member of the Connecticut State Senate, representing District 20. He assumed office on January 7, 2015. He left office on January 4, 2023.
Formica (Republican Party) ran for re-election to the Connecticut State Senate to represent District 20. He won in the general election on November 3, 2020.
Formica served as State Senator for Connecticut State Senate District 20 from 2015-2023.
Biography
Paul Formica's career experience includes working as the owner and operator of Flanders Fish Market & Restaurant. He served as the First Selectman of East Lyme from 2007 to 2015, and prior to this served as a member of the Zoning Commission and Board of Finance. Formica was chairman of the Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments, where he chaired the Regional Rail Committee and served on the Regional Water Committee. He has been a member of Rotary, Little League, and the Miracle League Field in East Lyme.[1]
Formica was first elected to represent Connecticut State Senate District 20 in 2014. In the 2019 session, he served as the Deputy Senate Republican Leader, ranking member of the Appropriations and Energy & Technology Committees, and member of the Executive and Legislative Nominations Committee.[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.
2021-2022
Formica was assigned to the following committees:
- Energy and Technology Committee, Ranking Member
- Executive and Legislative Nominations Committee, Member
- Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee, Member
2019-2020
Formica was assigned to the following committees:
- Energy and Technology Committee, Ranking Member
- Appropriations Committee, Ranking Member
- Executive and Legislative Nominations 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 |
| • Commerce |
| • Energy and Technology, Co-chair |
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Formica served on the following committees:
| Connecticut committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| • Appropriations |
| • Energy and Technology, Ranking Member |
| • Public Safety and Security |
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
2022
- See also: Connecticut State Senate elections, 2022
Paul Formica did not file to run for re-election.
2020
See also: Connecticut State Senate elections, 2020
General election
General election for Connecticut State Senate District 20
Incumbent Paul Formica defeated Martha Marx and Joseph Taraya in the general election for Connecticut State Senate District 20 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Paul Formica (R) | 50.6 | 25,680 |
 | Martha Marx (D / Working Families Party) | 48.3 | 24,503 | |
 | Joseph Taraya (Independent Party) | 1.2 | 586 | |
| Total votes: 50,769 | |||
 = 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. Martha Marx advanced from the Democratic primary for Connecticut State Senate District 20.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Paul Formica advanced from the Republican primary for Connecticut State Senate District 20.
2018
- See also: Connecticut State Senate elections, 2018
In addition to running as a Republican Party candidate, Formica cross-filed to also run with the Independent Party in 2018.[2]
General election
General election for Connecticut State Senate District 20
Incumbent Paul Formica defeated Martha Marx in the general election for Connecticut State Senate District 20 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Paul Formica (R) | 52.0 | 20,746 |
| Martha Marx (D) | 48.0 | 19,164 | |
| Total votes: 39,910 | |||
| = 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 Paul Formica defeated Ryan Henowitz in the Connecticut State Senate District 20 general election.[3]
| Connecticut State Senate, District 20 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Paul Formica Incumbent |
59.87% | 26,501 | |
| Democratic | Ryan Henowitz | 40.13% | 17,761 | |
| Total Votes | 44,262 | |||
| Source: Connecticut Secretary of the State | ||||
Ryan Henowitz ran unopposed in the Connecticut State Senate District 20 Democratic primary.
| Connecticut State Senate, District 20 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | Ryan Henowitz (unopposed) | |
Incumbent Paul Formica ran unopposed in the Connecticut State Senate District 20 Republican primary.
| Connecticut State Senate, District 20 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican | Paul Formica Incumbent (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. Elizabeth B. Ritter defeated William L. Satti in the Democratic primary, while Paul M. Formica was unopposed in the Republican primary. Formica defeated Ritter in the general election. Ritter was also endorsed by the Working Families Party.[4][5][6]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Paul M. Formica |
51.3% | 16,103 | |
| Democratic | Elizabeth Ritter | 41.7% | 13,077 | |
| Independent | Paul M. Formica | 4.5% | 1,404 | |
| Working Families | Elizabeth Ritter | 2.6% | 804 | |
| Total Votes | 31,388 | |||
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|
|
Elizabeth Ritter |
65.5% | 2,837 |
| William Satti | 34.5% | 1,495 |
| Total Votes | 4,332 | |
2012
Formica ran in the 2012 election for the U.S. House to represent Connecticut's 2nd District. Formica won the nomination on the Republican ticket. Formica defeated Daria Novak in the Republican primary on August 14, 2012.[7] He faced incumbent Joe Courtney, Dan Reale (L), and Colin D. Bennet (G) in the general election on November 6, 2012. Courtney was re-elected.[8]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Joe Courtney Incumbent |
68.2% | 204,708 | |
| Republican | Paul M Formica | 29.4% | 88,103 | |
| Green | Colin D. Bennet | 1.2% | 3,638 | |
| Libertarian | Dan Reale | 1.2% | 3,511 | |
| Total Votes | 299,960 | |||
| Source: Connecticut Secretary of State "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election" | ||||
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|
|
Daria Novak |
67.2% | 14,440 |
| Paul Formica | 32.8% | 7,042 |
| Total Votes | 21,482 | |
Campaign themes
2020
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Paul Formica did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
2012
Formica's website highlighted the following campaign themes:
The Economy
- Excerpt: "It’s time we look at where we are as a country and take immediate action to guarantee that the “American Dream” will be available for every generation of future Americans. We need to be able to leave our kids a truly “United” States of America that is safe and financially secure."
Healthcare
- Excerpt: "I am an independent leader, who if sent to Washington, will fight to ensure that Americans can have access to affordable and quality healthcare through a free-market approach. The legislation that was passed by Congressman Joe Courtney, a Democratic Congress and the Obama Administration is an attack on individual liberty and freedom, adding taxes; it does not address the true problems that must be solved in the years ahead."
National Defense
- Excerpt: "As the premier country in the world we have to come from a position of strength. I support a strong national defense and I support all of our families who have family members defending our country."
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.
Endorsements
2014
In 2014, Formica's endorsements included the following:[9]
- Independent Party of Connecticut
- National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB)
- Connecticut Realtors Association
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
As of 2014, Formica is widowed and has three children.[10]
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.
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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.
2023
In 2023, the Connecticut State Legislature was in session from January 4 to June 7.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.
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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See also
2020 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Connecticut State Senate, “State Senator Paul Formica” accessed October 14, 2019
- ↑ 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
- ↑ The CT Mirror, "Unofficial primary election results," accessed August 12, 2014
- ↑ AP Results, "U.S. House primary election results" accessed August 14, 2012
- ↑ ABC News, "2012 General Election Results," accessed November 6, 2012
- ↑ formicaforsenate.com, "Endorsements," accessed October 8, 2014
- ↑ Project Vote Smart, "Biography," accessed June 2, 2014
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Andrea Stillman (D) |
Connecticut State Senate District 20 2015-2023 |
Succeeded by Martha Marx (D) |
