1982 Connecticut Senate election

Not to be confused with 1982 United States Senate election in Connecticut.

1982 Connecticut State Senate election

← 1980 November 2, 1982 1984  →
All 36 seats in the Connecticut State Senate 19 seats needed for a majority
Majority party Minority party   Leader Richard Schneller George Gunther Party Democratic Republican Leader's seat 20th 21st Last election 23 13 Seats won 23 13 Seat change Popular vote 574,592 468,465 Percentage 54.98% 44.82% Swing 4.42% 4.61%
Results:      Democratic hold     Democratic gain      Republican hold     Republican gain
President pro tempore before election James J. Murphy Jr. Democratic Elected President pro tempore James J. Murphy Jr. Democratic

The 1982 Connecticut State Senate elections took place as a part of the biennial 1982 United States elections. All 36 seats were up for re-election. Senators serve two year terms and are up for re-election every election cycle.

While both parties gained and lost seats, neither had a net-change, leading to the Democrats maintaining their 23-13 majority over the Republicans. ^[1]

Immediately following the elections, Republican Senate minority leader George Gunther was ousted and replaced with Philip S. Robertson.

Retirements

Eight incumbents did not seek re-election.

Democrats

1. District 5: Clifton A. Leonhardt retired to run for Connecticut's 6th congressional district. (Later withdrew). ^[2]
2. District 9: Bill Curry retired to unsuccessfully run for Connecticut's 6th congressional district against Nancy Johnson.
3. District 11: Anthony M. Ciarlone retired.

Republican

1. District 6: Nancy Johnson retired to successfully run for Connecticut's 6th congressional district against Bill Curry.
2. District 8: Russell L. Post Jr. retired to run for governor. (Later withdrew). ^[3]
3. District 15: Gerald Labriola retired to unsuccessfully run for lieutenant governor of Connecticut.
4. District 25: Alfred Santaniello Jr. retired.
5. District 28: Myron R. Ballen retired.

Special elections

On December 31, 1980, Connecticut Governor Ella Grasso was forced to resign due to health issues after she was diagnosed with cancer. Her lieutenant, William A. O'Neill succeeded her as governor. According to Connecticut law, the President pro tempore of the Senate, at the time of which was Joseph J. Fauliso, would automatically assume the office of lieutenant governor once vacant. This left his seat, the 21st district, vacant, creating a special election.

On February 17, 1981, freshman Democratic state-representative William A. DiBella beat Republican Donald B. LaCroix, 76.8% to 23.2%, holding the seat Democratic. ^[4]

Incumbents defeated

In primary election

Democrats

1. District 3: Marcella Fahey lost re-election to John B. Larson.

In general election

Democrats

1. District 33: Frederick R. Knous lost re-election to Kenneth T. Hampton.

Results

Senate seats Democratic   63.89% Republican   36.11%

Popular vote Democratic   54.98% Republican   44.82%

District 1

Connecticut's 1st State Senate district election, 1982

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	William A. DiBella (incumbent)	16,767	100.00%
Total votes			16,767	100.00%
	Democratic hold

District 2

Connecticut's 2nd State Senate district election, 1982

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Wilber G. Smith (incumbent)	14,049	69.0%
	Republican	Hendrik Eleveld	6,328	31.0%
Total votes			20,377	100.0%
	Democratic hold

District 3

Connecticut's 3rd State Senate district election, 1982

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John B. Larson	18,402	62.5%
	Republican	Kevin H. Norige	11,047	37.5%
Total votes			29,449	100.0%
	Democratic hold

District 26

Connecticut's 26th State Senate district election, 1982

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	John G. Matthews (incumbent)	21,924	67.40%
	Democratic	Eugene E. Cederbaum	10,602	32.60%
Total votes			32,526	100.00%
	Republican hold

District 36

Connecticut's 36th State Senate district election, 1982

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Michael L. Morano (incumbent)	19,661	64.80%
	Democratic	Peter Gasparino	10,680	35.20%
Total votes			30,341	100.00%
	Republican hold

References

1. "Democrats Hold State Senate, Post Gains in House". The Norwalk Hour . November 3, 1982.
2. "Willis, Leonhardt quit Sixth Congressional race". Record-Journal . May 8, 1982.
3. "Post Drops Out of GOP Contest". The Norwalk Hour . July 17, 1982.
4. "DiBella Sweeps Special Election". The Norwalk Hour . February 18, 1981.