1982 Connecticut Senate election

1982 Connecticut State Senate election

November 2, 1982
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

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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.

Eight incumbents did not seek re-election.

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.

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.

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]

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

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