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United States Senate election in Connecticut, 2024 (August 13 Republican primary)

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2022
U.S. Senate, Connecticut
Ballotpedia Election Coverage Badge.png
Democratic primary
Republican primary
General election
Election details
Filing deadline: June 11, 2024
Primary: August 13, 2024
General: November 5, 2024

Pre-election incumbent:
Chris Murphy (Democratic)
How to vote
Poll times: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Voting in Connecticut
Race ratings
Cook Political Report: Solid Democratic
DDHQ and The Hill: Safe Democratic
Inside Elections: Solid Democratic
Sabato's Crystal Ball: Safe Democratic
Ballotpedia analysis
U.S. Senate battlegrounds
U.S. House battlegrounds
Federal and state primary competitiveness
Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2024
See also
U.S. Senate, Connecticut
U.S. Senate1st2nd3rd4th5th
Connecticut elections, 2024
U.S. Congress elections, 2024
U.S. Senate elections, 2024
U.S. House elections, 2024

A Republican Party primary took place on August 13, 2024, in Connecticut to determine which Republican candidate would run in the state's general election on November 5, 2024.

Matthew Corey advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. Senate Connecticut.

Thirty-four of 100 seats in the U.S. Senate were up for election in 2024, including one special election. At the time of the election, Democrats had a 51-49 majority.[1] Of the seats up for election in 2024, Democrats held 19, Republicans held 11, and independents held four. As of May 2024, eight members of the U.S. Senate had announced they were not running for re-election.

Candidate filing deadline Primary election General election
June 11, 2024
August 13, 2024
November 5, 2024


Heading into the election, the incumbent was Chris Murphy (Democrat), who was first elected in 2012.

A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate whom they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. Connecticut utilizes a closed primary system, in which only registered party members may vote in a party's primary. However, Connecticut state law allows parties to decide whether unaffiliated voters can vote in their primary before each election.[2][3][4]

For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.

This page focuses on Connecticut's United States Senate Republican primary. For more in-depth information on the state's Democratic primary and the general election, see the following pages:

Candidates and election results

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. Senate Connecticut

Matthew Corey defeated Gerry Smith in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate Connecticut on August 13, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Matthew Corey
Matthew Corey Candidate Connection
 
54.7
 
19,228
Image of Gerry Smith
Gerry Smith Candidate Connection
 
45.3
 
15,900

Total votes: 35,128
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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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Candidate profiles

This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.

Image of Matthew Corey

WebsiteFacebookTwitterYouTube

Party: Republican Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography "I’m a Navy veteran and a small business owner. I’m a lifelong resident of Connecticut and I currently own the One Wood Pub in East Hartford"


Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.


I will put Connecticut First. Senator Murphy has put his personal ambitions, delusional agenda & partisan platform ahead of addressing the actual needs of CT’s citizens


I will make life in CT more affordable. We must reduce the cost of energy in CT by expanding supplies & removing barriers to energy production. We must reduce price inflation by sound budgeting. And we must provide more good paying jobs by expanding apprenticeships in our skilled trades


We must make America safe & strong. I wholeheartedly Back the Blue & support stronger measures against violent crime, car theft & drug dealers. I support REAL border reform like HR2 which means building the wall, ending sanctuary cities, deporting criminals & reinstating the Remain in Mexico policy for asylum seekers I believe in Peace through Strength overseas. We must stop coddling terrorist regimes like Iran & stand strongly behind our allies

This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. Senate Connecticut in 2024.

Image of Gerry Smith

WebsiteFacebookTwitter

Party: Republican Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography "Born in 1961 and raised in Tarrytown, NY, Gerry emerged from humble beginnings as the son of a school janitor and a devoted stay-at-home mother of five. Growing up in a close, family oriented public housing community, he frequently accompanied his moonlighting father to various jobs, instilling within him a work ethic that remains strong today. In 1986, Gerry and his wife, Anne, planted roots in Beacon Falls, CT, where they raised their two sons. Motivated by a desire to ensure a future for his children and grandchildren in an America that guarantees both freedom and protection, Gerry felt compelled to answer the call to higher public service. Gerry's community involvement began in 1987 and has since been unwavering. He has served on various boards and commissions, showcasing leadership as the Chair of the Board of Finance and the Planning and Zoning Commission. As a four-term First Selectman, Gerry has successfully applied for and secured competitive grants, securing vital funds for the town's aging infrastructure while keeping tax increases to a minimum. One of his strongest achievements is steering the town to a "AA+" credit rating with S&P Global Ratings. Gerry's commitment extends beyond Beacon Falls, as he serves as a Director at the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM), a member of the Connecticut Interlocal Risk Management Agency (CIRMA), and a member of the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments."


Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.


Every day, hardworking Americans feel the pinch of rising gas prices and grocery bills, compounded by escalating taxes. We must prioritize finding common ground and enacting tangible solutions to alleviate these burdens. It's time to elect leaders committed to bipartisanship, willing to collaborate across party lines for the betterment of all. Moreover, addressing pressing issues such as soaring energy costs, inflation, and the accessibility of education is paramount to securing a prosperous future for generations to come


The American dream should be within reach for all, but it must be safeguarded by a functional and effective immigration process. Our border control agencies require the necessary resources and support to fulfill their duty of keeping our nation secure. Combatting the flow of dangerous substances like fentanyl across our southern border and addressing the concerning levels of violence demand urgent attention. Let's prioritize comprehensive solutions that prioritize both security and compassion, ensuring a safer and more prosperous America for everyone.


Family values are the cornerstone of a stable society, providing the framework for nurturing individuals and fostering healthy communities. It is crucial that policy at the federal level supports the growth and stability of the family, whether that be a single mom caring for her young child, or a rowdy family of ten.

This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. Senate Connecticut in 2024.

Voting information

See also: Voting in Connecticut
Ballotpedia will publish the dates and deadlines related to this election as they are made available.


Campaign finance

Name Party Receipts* Disbursements** Cash on hand Date
Matthew Corey Republican Party $258,524 $224,156 $51,737 As of December 31, 2024
Gerry Smith Republican Party $68,293 $68,293 $0 As of September 5, 2024

Source: Federal Elections Commission, "Campaign finance data," 2024. This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

* According to the FEC, "Receipts are anything of value (money, goods, services or property) received by a political committee."
** According to the FEC, a disbursement "is a purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit or gift of money or anything of value to influence a federal election," plus other kinds of payments not made to influence a federal election.

Ballot access

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. Senate candidates in Connecticut in the 2024 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Connecticut, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. Senate candidates, 2024
State Office Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source
Connecticut U.S. Senate Ballot-qualified party 2% of enrolled party members N/A 6/11/2024 Source
Connecticut U.S. Senate Unaffiliated 1% of votes cast for the office in the last election, or 7,500, whichever is less N/A 8/7/2024 Source

Election analysis

Click the tabs below to view information about demographics, past elections, and partisan control of the state.

  • Presidential elections - Information about presidential elections in the state.
  • Statewide elections - Information about recent U.S. Senate and gubernatorial elections in the state.
  • State partisanship - The partisan makeup of the state's congressional delegation and state government.
  • Demographics - Information about the state's demographics and how they compare to the country as a whole.


See also: Presidential voting trends in Connecticut and The Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index

Cook PVI by congressional district

Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index for Connecticut, 2024
District Incumbent Party PVI
Connecticut's 1st John Larson Electiondot.png Democratic D+12
Connecticut's 2nd Joe Courtney Electiondot.png Democratic D+3
Connecticut's 3rd Rosa DeLauro Electiondot.png Democratic D+7
Connecticut's 4th Jim Himes Electiondot.png Democratic D+13
Connecticut's 5th Jahana Hayes Electiondot.png Democratic D+3


2020 presidential results by 2024 congressional district lines

2020 presidential results in congressional districts based on 2024 district lines, Connecticut[5]
District Joe Biden Democratic Party Donald Trump Republican Party
Connecticut's 1st 63.3% 35.2%
Connecticut's 2nd 54.7% 43.3%
Connecticut's 3rd 59.2% 39.5%
Connecticut's 4th 64.8% 33.8%
Connecticut's 5th 54.6% 43.9%


2012-2020

How a state's counties vote in a presidential election and the size of those counties can provide additional insights into election outcomes at other levels of government including statewide and congressional races. Below, four categories are used to describe each county's voting pattern over the 2012, 2016, and 2020 presidential elections: Solid, Trending, Battleground, and New. Click [show] on the table below for examples:


Following the 2020 presidential election, 91.6% of Connecticuters lived in one of the state's six Solid Democratic counties, which voted for the Democratic presidential candidate in every election from 2012 to 2020, and 5.1% lived in Litchfield County, the state's one Solid Republican county. Overall, Connecticut was Solid Democratic, having voted for Barack Obama (D) in 2012, Hillary Clinton (D) in 2016, and Joe Biden (D) in 2020. Use the table below to view the total number of each type of county in Connecticut following the 2020 election as well as the overall percentage of the state population located in each county type.

Historical voting trends

Connecticut presidential election results (1900-2020)

  • 15 Democratic wins
  • 16 Republican wins
Year 1900 1904 1908 1912 1916 1920 1924 1928 1932 1936 1940 1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016 2020
Winning Party R R R D R R R R R D D D R R R D D D R R R R R D D D D D D D D

This section details the results of the five most recent U.S. Senate and gubernatorial elections held in the state.

U.S. Senate elections

See also: List of United States Senators from Connecticut

The table below details the vote in the five most recent U.S. Senate races in Connecticut.

U.S. Senate election results in Connecticut
Race Winner Runner up
2022 57.5%Democratic Party 42.5%Republican Party
2018 59.5%Democratic Party 39.4%Republican Party
2016 63.2%Democratic Party 34.6%Republican Party
2012 54.8%Democratic Party 43.1%Republican Party
2010 55.1%Democratic Party 43.3%Republican Party
Average 56.5 40.0

Gubernatorial elections

See also: Governor of Connecticut

The table below details the vote in the five most recent gubernatorial elections in Connecticut.

Gubernatorial election results in Connecticut
Race Winner Runner up
2022 56.0%Democratic Party 43.0%Republican Party
2018 49.4%Democratic Party 46.2%Republican Party
2014 50.7%Democratic Party 48.2%Republican Party
2010 49.5%Democratic Party 49.0%Republican Party
2006 63.2%Republican Party 35.5%Democratic Party
Average 53.8 44.6
See also: Party control of Connecticut state government

Congressional delegation

The table below displays the partisan composition of Connecticut's congressional delegation as of May 2024.

Congressional Partisan Breakdown from Connecticut
Party U.S. Senate U.S. House Total
Democratic 2 5 7
Republican 0 0 0
Independent 0 0 0
Vacancies 0 0 0
Total 2 5 7

State executive

The table below displays the officeholders in Connecticut's top four state executive offices as of May 2024.

State executive officials in Connecticut, May 2024
Office Officeholder
Governor Democratic Party Ned Lamont
Lieutenant Governor Democratic Party Susan Bysiewicz
Secretary of State Democratic Party Stephanie Thomas
Attorney General Democratic Party William Tong

State legislature

Connecticut State Senate

Party As of February 2024
     Democratic Party 24
     Republican Party 12
     Other 0
     Vacancies 0
Total 36

Connecticut House of Representatives

Party As of February 2024
     Democratic Party 98
     Republican Party 53
     Other 0
     Vacancies 0
Total 151

Trifecta control

The table below shows the state's trifecta status from 1992 until the 2024 election.

Connecticut Party Control: 1992-2024
Fourteen years of Democratic trifectas  •  No Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Year 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Governor I I I R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R D D D D D D D D D D D D D D
Senate D D D R R D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D
House D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D

The table below details demographic data in Connecticut and compares it to the broader United States as of 2022.

Demographic Data for Connecticut
Connecticut United States
Population 3,605,944 331,449,281
Land area (sq mi) 4,842 3,531,905
Race and ethnicity**
White 69.8% 65.9%
Black/African American 10.7% 12.5%
Asian 4.7% 5.8%
Native American 0.3% 0.8%
Pacific Islander 0% 0.2%
Other (single race) 6.5% 6%
Multiple 8% 8.8%
Hispanic/Latino 17.4% 18.7%
Education
High school graduation rate 91.3% 89.1%
College graduation rate 41.4% 34.3%
Income
Median household income $90,213 $75,149
Persons below poverty level 6.8% 8.8%
Source: population provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "Decennial Census" (2020). Other figures provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2017-2022).
**Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.

See also

External links

Footnotes


Senators
Representatives
District 1
District 2
District 3
District 4
Jim Himes (D)
District 5
Democratic Party (7)