1986 Connecticut Senate election
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The 1986 Connecticut State Senate elections took place as a part of the biennial 1986 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.
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November 4, 1986
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All 36 seats in the Connecticut State Senate 19 seats needed for a majority | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Results: Democratic hold Democratic gain Republican hold | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Democrats, led by minority leader Cornelius O'Leary, flipped control of the State Senate. They managed to gain a two-thirds majority over the Republicans, achieving a supermajority. This was in large part attributed to the popularity of incumbent Democratic governor William O'Neill and his landslide re-election, having a coattail effect boosting down-ballot Connecticut Democrats due to the state's improved economy, with it also leading to them reclaiming the state house.[1][2][3]
Retirements
Two incumbents did not seek re-election.
Republicans
- District 5: Anne Streeter retired.
- District 26: John Grennell Matthews retired.
Special elections
One special election was called for the 25th district due to Republican Senator Andrew Santaniello's unexpected death on March 15, 1986. The date of the election was held on May 6, 1986. Republican councilman Joseph Santo managed to beat former Democratic state representative John Atkin, and held the seat Republican.[4]
However, in the general election on November 4, Atkin managed to unseat Santo in a rematch, flipping the seat Democratic.[5]
Incumbents defeated
Twelve incumbents, all Republicans, were defeated in general elections.[6][7]
In general election
Republicans
- District 4: Carl A. Zinsser lost re-election to Michael P. Meotti.
- District 9: Richard B. Johnston lost re-election to A. Cynthia Matthews.
- District 12: Richard S. Eaton lost re-election to Thomas J. Sullivan.
- District 16: Joseph C. Markley lost re-election to Donald M. Rinaldi.
- District 17: John F. Consoli lost re-election to Gary A. Hale.
- District 18: Donald Schoolcraft lost re-election to Steven Spellman.
- District 19: Eric R. Benson lost re-election to Kenneth L. Przybysz.
- District 20: Pierce F. Connair lost re-election to Mark H. Powers.
- District 22: Lee Scarpetti lost re-election to Howard T. Owens Jr.
- District 24: Robert T. Miller lost re-election to James H. Maloney.
- District 25: Joseph Santo lost re-election to John Atkin.
- District 35: James D. Giulietti lost re-election to Marie Herbst.
Results
District 1
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | William A. DiBella (incumbent) | 14,624 | 77.4% | |
| Republican | Donald B. LaCroix | 4,268 | 22.6% | |
| Total votes | 18,892 | 100.00% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
District 2
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Frank D. Barrows (incumbent) | 13,522 | 76.9% | |
| Republican | Arnika-Maia Mott | 4,063 | 23.1% | |
| Total votes | 17,585 | 100.0% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
District 3
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | John B. Larson (incumbent) | 20,316 | 100.00%% | |
| Total votes | 20,316 | 100.00% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
District 4
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Michael Meotti | 17,776 | 51.1% | |
| Republican | Carl A. Zinsser (incumbent) | 16,998 | 48.9% | |
| Total votes | 34,774 | 100.0% | ||
| Democratic gain from Republican | ||||
District 5
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Kevin Sullivan | 21,374 | 55.5% | |
| Republican | Charles R. Matties | 17,163 | 44.5% | |
| Total votes | 38,537 | 100.0% | ||
| Democratic gain from Republican | ||||
District 6
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Joseph H. Harper Jr. (incumbent) | 15,625 | 69.7% | |
| Republican | Bernard B. Walsh Jr. | 6,804 | 30.3% | |
| Total votes | 22,429 | 100.0% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
District 7
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Cornelius P. O'Leary (incumbent) | 18,880 | 100.0% | |
| Total votes | 18,880 | 100.0% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
District 8
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Reginald J. Smith (incumbent) | 18,757 | 55.8% | |
| Democratic | Dwight Schweitzer | 14,874 | 44.2% | |
| Total votes | 33,631 | 100.0% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||