Connecticut Governor2018
RACE AT A GLANCE
RACE TYPE
OPEN
Dannel Malloy (D)
Retiring
Key Dates
Filing Deadline: TBD
Primary Election: TBD
INCUMBENT
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INCUMBENT
Full Bio:
Malloy earned his bachelor's degree from Boston College, receiving magna cum laude honors as an undergraduate. He then went on to Boston College Law School, and after passing the bar, worked as an assistant district attorney in Brooklyn, New York, from 1980-1984. He earned 22 convictions on the 23 felony cases he tried as a Brooklyn prosecutor.
After returning to his hometown of Stamford, Connecticut, he served on the boards of finance and education before being elected as mayor of Stamford in 1995. He held that office for 14 years, and in that time he instituted improvements in transportation, education and crime prevention that helped put Stamford on the Forbes' list of the country's top ten most livable cities.
As governor, he has worked to close the nation's largest per-capita deficit and stabilize the state's finances. By spearheading a wide range of economic development initiatives, Malloy has made positive steps both to create and retain thousands of jobs in Connecticut. Under his leadership, the state has ushered in a series of policies aimed at addressing income inequality, including becoming the first state in the nation to pass a minimum wage increase to $10.10 an hour and the first to pass legislation guaranteeing paid sick leave for workers.
He and his wife Cathy had three sons Dannel, Ben and Sam.
Source: National Governors Associtaion
Source: Bioguide
CANDIDATES
Democrats
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Republicans
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Independents / Other Parties
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STATE DATA
Connecticut
Population Breakdown
Source: American Community Survey
Past Presidential Results from this State
2016 Election Results
Source: The Cook Political Report/POLIDATA
2012 Election Results
Source: The Cook Political Report/POLIDATA
RACE ANALYSIS
The Bottom Line
Updated: Jan 26, 2018
This is one of the most Democratic states in the nation, but Republicans have a shot at winning this seat being vacated by two-term Democratic Gov. Dan Malloy. The state is in difficult financial shape; the budget deficit is significant enough to trigger a law requiring the Governor to take cost-cutting measures, and major employers like General Electric and Aetna are decamping for more business-friendly states with lower taxes. Malloy’s job approval numbers are abysmal and a factor in the incumbent’s decision not to seek a third term. At this point, there are at least nine Democratic candidates who have announced or who have formed exploratory committees. It’s safe to say that no one has emerged as the frontrunner yet. On the Republican side, there are at least 12 candidates who have announced or formed exploratory committees, and like their Democratic counterparts, this field is without a frontrunner. Connecticut holds late primaries, meaning all the focus will be on those nominating contests until the fall. Once there are nominees, the short sprint to the general election should be very competitive. In fact, despite Connecticut’s solid blue hue and that this is shaping up to be a good year for Democrats, this may be Republicans’ best shot to pick up a Democratic-held governorship. The race is in the Toss Up column.
Race Analysis
Updated: Jul 21, 2026
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