1984 Connecticut Senate election

1984 Connecticut State Senate election

←  1982 November 6, 1984 1986  →
All 36 seats in the Connecticut State Senate 19 seats needed for a majority
Majority party Minority party   Leader Philip Robertson Richard Schneller (retired) Party Republican Democratic Leader's seat 34th 20th Last election 13 23 Seats before 13 22 Seats won 24 12 Seat change 11 10 Popular vote 779,216 623,619 Percentage 55.27% 44.24% Swing 10.44% 10.74%
Results:      Democratic hold     Democratic gain      Republican hold     Republican gain
President pro tempore before election James J. Murphy, Jr. Democratic Elected President pro tempore Philip Robertson Republican

The 1984 Connecticut State Senate elections took place as a part of the biennial 1984 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.

Mainly with the help of Reagan's coattails, as he had won Connecticut by twenty-one points on the same ballot, the Republicans took control of the Senate, managing to secure a two-thirds supermajority over the Democrats, although failing to secure a supermajority in the state house. ^{[1] [2] [3]}

Retirements

Three incumbents did not seek re-election. ^[4]

Democrats

1. District 18: Mary A. Martin retired. ^[5]
2. District 20: Richard F. Schneller retired. ^[6]

Republican

1. District 32: William "Bill" F. Rogers III retired.

Special elections

Two special elections occurred between 1982 and the general election in 1984. One was held on May 2, 1983 for Democratic Senator Audrey P. Beck's seat of the 29th district after she committed suicide on March 12, 1983. ^{[7] [8]} Five-term Democratic state representative Kevin P. Johnston managed to beat Republican lawyer and former Windham selectman candidate Dennis Gamache 57% to 43%, holding the seat Democratic. ^[9]

Another was held for the 27th district after Democratic Senator Thom Serrani resigned when he was elected Mayor of Stamford. ^[10] On February 21, Democrat state representative Anthony Truglia beat Republican former state rep. Marie Hawe, 63% to 37%. ^[11]

Incumbents defeated

Ten incumbents were defeated in general elections. ^[12]

In general election

Independents

1. District 2: Wilber G. Smith lost re-election to Democrat Frank D. Barrows after he had switched from Democratic to Independent.

Democrats

1. District 9: A. Cynthia Matthews lost re-election to Richard B. Johnston.
2. District 12: Regina R. Smith lost re-election to Richard S. Eaton.
3. District 15: Robert G. Dorr lost re-election to Thomas F. Upson.
4. District 16: William J. Sullivan lost re-election to Joseph Markley.
5. District 17: Eugene A. Skowronski lost re-election to John F. Consoli.
6. District 19: James J. Murphy Jr. lost re-election to Eric R. Benson.
7. District 22: Howard T. Owens Jr. lost re-election to Lee Scarpetti.
8. District 24: Wayne A. Baker lost re-election to Robert T. Miller.
9. District 35: Michael J. Skelley lost re-election to James D. Giulietti.

Results

Senate seats Republican   66.67% Democratic   33.33%

Popular vote Democratic   55.27% Republican   44.24%

References

1. "Republicans take over state House and Senate". The Day . November 7, 1984.
2. "1984 Statement of Vote". Connecticut Secretary of State. November 6, 1984.
3. Richard L. Madden (November 7, 1984). "CONNECTICUT LEGISLATURE SHIFTS TO G.O.P. CONTROL". New York Times .
4. "3 Legislators To Retire From General Assembly". The Norwalk Hour . May 16, 1984.
5. Thomas Farragher (May 14, 1984). "Mrs. Martin officially announces retirement". The Day .
6. Judd Everhart (March 22, 1984). "Schneller to leave State Senate". The Norwalk Hour .
7. "Senator Audrey P. Beck Of Connecticut Is Dead". New York Times . March 12, 1983.
8. "Weicker's Success and Efforts Bouying GOP in Today's Elections". The Norwalk Hour . May 2, 1983.
9. "GOP Picks Up the Most Muninciple Leader Posts". The Norwalk Hour . May 3, 1983.
10. Richard L. Madden (November 9, 1983). "A DEMOCRAT IS ELECTED THE NEW MAYOR OF STAMFORD". New York Times .
11. "Truglia Wins Senate Race". The Norwalk Hour . February 22, 1984.
12. "Office of the Secretary of State". Connecticut Secretary of State.