Everything you need to know about ranked-choice voting in one spot. Click to learn more!

United States Senate election in Connecticut (August 14, 2018 Republican primary)

From Ballotpedia
Jump to: navigation, search


2022 →
← 2016
U.S. Senate, Connecticut
Ballotpedia Election Coverage Badge.png
Democratic primary
Republican primary
General election
Election details
Filing deadline: June 12, 2018
Primary: August 14, 2018
General: November 6, 2018
Pre-election incumbent:
Chris Murphy (Democrat)
How to vote
Poll times: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Voting in Connecticut
Race ratings
Cook Political Report: Solid 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, 2018
See also
U.S. Senate, Connecticut
U.S. Senate • 1st • 2nd • 3rd • 4th • 5th
Connecticut elections, 2018
U.S. Congress elections, 2018
U.S. Senate elections, 2018
U.S. House elections, 2018

A Republican Party primary election took place on August 14, 2018, in Connecticut to determine which Republican would run in the state's November 6, 2018, general election.

This page focuses on the Republican primary. For an overview of the election in general, click here.

Although incumbent Sen. Chris Murphy (D) was expected to succeed in his re-election bid—a Republican has not represented Connecticut in the Senate since 1989—two Republicans ran for the seat. One contender, Dominic Rapini, said that President Donald Trump's performance in the 2016 presidential election inspired him to run for the seat, which has been solidly blue for decades. "It showed me the possibilities. The time is right," Rapini said.[1] He reported $26,775 cash on hand at the end of the second quarter of 2017.[2]


See also: United States Senate Republican Party primaries, 2018


Candidates and election results

See also: Statistics on U.S. Congress candidates, 2018

Matthew Corey defeated Dominic Rapini in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate Connecticut on August 14, 2018.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. Senate Connecticut

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Matthew Corey
Matthew Corey
 
76.5
 
99,899
Image of Dominic Rapini
Dominic Rapini
 
23.5
 
30,624

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

Total votes: 130,523
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.

Issues

Matthew Corey

The following issues were listed on Corey's campaign website. For a full list of campaign themes and policy priorities, click here.

“
  • Economy: The $20 trillion in debt that we face is stifling job growth. The failure and lack of courage in Washington to pass a balanced budget is hindering our ability to grow the economy. This is similar to what we are facing here in Connecticut. We need to encourage research and development. With the right tax policy we can bring technology companies to invest in this country and state. We need job growth in new technologies. We have to create a pathway for the next generation to bring new innovation to help America be the leader in the 21st Century. Our current representatives only talk about obstruction. The harmful regulations that cost businesses millions of dollars that could be used for job growth and research of the new technologies of tomorrow.
  • Social Security/Medicare/Medicaid: We have 59 million Americans receiving benefits from Social Security, which includes retirement, disability, and survivor benefits. This benefit is not an entitlement. The people, who are not entitled to it, are the politicians who borrow form it. There is $2.8 trillion in Treasury bonds backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. That is us folks. We need to get the 94 million plus people that are out of work, back in the work force who are not yet of retirement age. We also need to raise the contribution cap. We need to give social security to those who need it most. It was a safeguard to prevent seniors from living in poverty. We need tax free retirement savings accounts.
  • Health Care: We all agree health care cost is on the rise. We should allow the purchase of health insurance across state lines. We also need tort reform. Doctors are under tremendous strain and rising costs of performing their job. There should be no discrimination on purchasing health care with preexisting conditions which the states should subsidize through cost effective Medicaid programs. The health care exchanges are in place. Let the free market compete in these exchanges so the American people can get the best rates. We also need to create large pools so individuals can get the best rates available. This should include creating policies to cater to individual needs to get more people to sign up.
  • Defense: Defense is vital to our nation’s security and our state's economy. We only have one representative on the House Armed Services Committee. We can’t afford to lose Federal contracts. Connecticut’s economy depends on preserving these defense contracts. ISIS must be destroyed where ever it festers. We need strong leadership in Washington with a clear mission to destroy this evil. If we elect to do nothing we will witness evil and genocide continue to destroy human life. Radical Islam will influence the youth in the region taking generations to eradicate. We need to lead a coalition of forces from the region to destroy this evil. North Korea and Iran must not be allowed ballistic missiles or nuclear weapons. We must put more pressure on China with trade policies to influence them that a nuclear Asian peninsula is not in their best interest.
  • Education: Give parents the choice to enroll their children in the public schools, charter schools, or private schools they feel could help their child’s future to compete in a world market. Provide a tax credit for families who home school their children. Eliminate the Federal Department of Education and return power to the states and local government. Send block grants back to the states. Let teachers and parents have more input in the education process of their children. The civil rights battle of today is in the cities. Children can’t attend schools that have vacant seats because of quotas. We need strong legislative leadership to address this injustice.[3]
 ”
—Matthew Corey for U.S. Senate

Dominic Rapini

The following issues were listed on Rapini's campaign website. For a full list of campaign themes and policy priorities, click here.

“
  • Healthcare: It is my goal to fight for affordable healthcare that is market driven with interstate competition, government oversight of drug prices, and limits on malpractice judgments. I support Medicaid for citizens who cannot help themselves including children and adults who are unable to work while providing relief to those suffering from pre-existing conditions. Health Savings Accounts are essential to help working adults afford the healthcare that best fits their needs.
  • Economy: American business deserves the freedom to invest in capital and to be nimble in starting new business and growing established enterprises. This objective requires lower taxes and balanced regulation that protects the consumer and the employee without shackling the entrepreneurs and small business people. With taxes and regulation reformed, businesses, worldwide will be interested in moving to a business friendly United States - that will be our new opportunity.
  • Connecticut Jobs: In the 2018 election the citizens of Connecticut will establish a mandate for a new government replacing the failed experiment of the past decade. With new leadership in Hartford I will be a new type of partner in D.C. focused on complementing the policies from the new administration in our state capital. The exodus of businesses will stop as a new vision is embraced and we can begin attracting new enterprises to consider the great resources of this state. It will be with these conditions that I can help recruit new business to Connecticut, leveraging my role as a U.S. Senator, and applying my skills and experience in developing business. I am Connecticut’s number one fan and I will become Connecticut’s number one sales person.
  • Foreign Policy: America is the greatest superpower in the world and it is our obligation to lead in the defense of freedom and to manage threats to our security wherever they materialize. A strong, flexible military not only deters our enemies but strengthens the negotiation position of our State department. Diplomacy is much more effective when a US Carrier group is patrolling the waters near our enemies. Peace through strength.
  • Term Limits: The career politician represents a two-edged sword for American Politics. On one hand, we take comfort in the accumulation of legislative experience and acquisition of battled tested skills that come from committee deliberations, debate on the floor, and years of interaction with constituents. Yet, we are repelled at the thought of the ‘swamp' that permeates Washington D.C. A swamp that comes from years of groupthink, ideology seep, and the survival mode that comes from needing to be re-elected. We see many examples of ineffective politicians persisting in their elected position because their constituents either vote on ideology, and not on competence, or they don’t vote out of apathy - I’m not sure which is worse. It is time for term limits and a return to the idea our founding fathers envisioned whereby our nation is led by qualified, reasonable citizens who serve and return to the private sector. I’m pretty sure Thomas Jefferson and James Madison never considered the career politician as the best option for America's leadership. My promise is to call for term limits for congress, I will lead by example and plan to only run for two terms. [3]
 ”
—Dominic for U.S. Senate

Campaign finance

The table below contains data from FEC Quarterly October 2017 reports. It includes only candidates who reported at least $10,000 in campaign contributions as of September 30, 2017.[4]

Republican Party Republicans



State overview

Partisan control

This section details the partisan control of federal and state positions in Connecticut heading into the 2018 elections.

Congressional delegation

State executives

State legislature

  • Democrats controlled both chambers of the Connecticut General Assembly. They had a 80-71 majority in the state House and a 18-18 majority in the state Senate.

Trifecta status

  • Connecticut was one of eight Democratic trifectas, meaning that Democrats controlled the office of the governor, the state House, and the state Senate.

2018 elections

See also: Connecticut elections, 2018

Connecticut held elections for the following positions in 2018:

Demographics

Demographic data for Connecticut
 ConnecticutU.S.
Total population:3,584,730316,515,021
Land area (sq mi):4,8423,531,905
Race and ethnicity**
White:77.3%73.6%
Black/African American:10.3%12.6%
Asian:4.2%5.1%
Native American:0.2%0.8%
Pacific Islander:0%0.2%
Two or more:2.8%3%
Hispanic/Latino:14.7%17.1%
Education
High school graduation rate:89.9%86.7%
College graduation rate:37.6%29.8%
Income
Median household income:$70,331$53,889
Persons below poverty level:12.2%11.3%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015)
Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Connecticut.
**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.

As of July 2016, Connecticut's three largest cities were Bridgeport (pop. est. 146,579), New Haven (pop. est. 131,014), and Stamford (pop. est. 130,824).[5][6]

State election history

This section provides an overview of federal and state elections in Connecticut from 2000 to 2016. All data comes from the Connecticut Secretary of State.

Historical elections

Presidential elections, 2000-2016

This chart shows the results of the presidential election in Connecticut every year from 2000 to 2016.

Election results (President of the United States), Connecticut 2000-2016
Year First-place candidate First-place candidate votes (%) Second-place candidate Second-place candidate votes (%) Margin of victory (%)
2016 Democratic Party Hillary Clinton 54.6% Republican Party Donald Trump 40.9% 13.7%
2012 Democratic Party Barack Obama 58.1% Republican Party Mitt Romney 40.8% 17.3%
2008 Democratic Party Barack Obama 60.6% Republican Party John McCain 38.2% 22.4%
2004 Democratic Party John Kerry 54.3% Republican Party George W. Bush 43.9% 10.4%
2000 Democratic Party Al Gore 55.9% Republican Party George W. Bush 38.4% 17.5%

U.S. Senate elections, 2000-2016

This chart shows the results of U.S. Senate races in Connecticut from 2000 to 2016. Every state has two Senate seats, and each seat goes up for election every six years. The terms of the seats are staggered so that roughly one-third of the seats are up every two years.

Election results (U.S. Senator), Connecticut 2000-2016
Year First-place candidate First-place candidate votes (%) Second-place candidate Second-place candidate votes (%) Margin of victory (%)
2016 Democratic Party Richard Blumenthal 63.2% Republican Party Dan Carter 34.6% 28.6%
2012 Democratic Party Christopher Murphy 54.8% Republican Party Linda McMahon 43.1% 11.7%
2010 Democratic Party Richard Blumenthal 55.2% Republican Party Linda McMahon 43.2% 12%
2006 Grey.png Joe Lieberman (I) 49.7% Democratic Party Ned Lamont 39.7% 12.2%
2004 Democratic Party Chris Dodd 66.4% Republican Party Jack Orchulli 32.1% 34.3%
2002 Democratic Party Joe Lieberman 63.2% Republican Party Philip Giordano 34.2% 29%

Gubernatorial elections, 2000-2016

This chart shows the results of the four gubernatorial elections held between 2000 and 2016. Gubernatorial elections are held every four years in Connecticut.

Election results (Governor), Connecticut 2000-2016
Year First-place candidate First-place candidate votes (%) Second-place candidate Second-place candidate votes (%) Margin of victory (%)
2014 Democratic Party Dan Malloy 50.7% Republican Party Tom Foley 48.2% 2.5%
2010 Democratic Party Dan Malloy 49.5% Republican Party Tom Foley 49% .5%
2006 Republican Party Jodi Rell 63.2% Democratic Party John DeStefano, Jr. 35.5% 27.7%
2002 Republican Party John G. Rowland 56.1% Democratic Party Bill Curry 43.9% 12.2%

Congressional delegation, 2000-2016

This chart shows the number of Democrats and Republicans who were elected to represent Connecticut in the U.S. House from 2000 to 2016. Elections for U.S. House seats are held every two years.

Congressional delegation, Connecticut 2000-2016
Year Republicans Republicans (%) Democrats Democrats (%) Balance of power
2016 Republican Party 0 0% Democratic Party 5 100% D+5
2014 Republican Party 0 0% Democratic Party 5 100% D+5
2012 Republican Party 0 0% Democratic Party 5 100% D+5
2010 Republican Party 0 0% Democratic Party 5 100% D+5
2008 Republican Party 0 36.8% Democratic Party 5 100% D+5
2006 Republican Party 1 20% Democratic Party 4 80% D+4
2004 Republican Party 3 60% Democratic Party 2 40% R+1
2002 Republican Party 3 60% Democratic Party 2 40% R+1
2000 Republican Party 2 40% Democratic Party 3 60.0% D+1

Trifectas, 1992-2017

A state government trifecta occurs when one party controls both chambers of the state legislature and the governor's office.

Connecticut Party Control: 1992-2025
Fifteen 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 25
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 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 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 D

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Connecticut Post, "Like Trump, GOP Senate challenger looks to disprove the pundits," August 15, 2017
  2. ↑ FEC, "2018 House and Senate Campaign Finance for Connecticut," accessed October 5, 2017
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  4. ↑ FEC, "Federal Election Commission," accessed November 5, 2017
  5. ↑ Cubit, "Connecticut by Population," accessed August 30, 2018
  6. ↑ U.S. Census Bureau, "Quickfacts Connecticut," accessed August 30, 2018


Connecticut's current delegation to the United States Congress
Senators
Richard Blumenthal (D)
Christopher Murphy (D)
Representatives
District 1
District 2
District 3
District 4
Jim Himes (D)
District 5
Democratic Party (7)


v • e
2017-2018 Elections to the United States Congress
Senate by StateCongressLogo.png
House by State
Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Hawaii • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • Nevada • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • New York • North Carolina • North Dakota • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Utah • Vermont • Virginia • Washington • West Virginia • Wisconsin • Wyoming
Election information
Super PACs/Organizations
Retrieved from "https://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=United_States_Senate_election_in_Connecticut_(August_14,_2018_Republican_primary)&oldid=7601012"