While most political pundit’s eyes are focused on the hotly contested presidential election between frontrunners Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, the race for Senate and House seats in Connecticut is garnering its share of national attention.
GOVERNING magazine says the Senate races are a projected “toss-up’’ as to whether the Republicans or Democrats will control the majority. Currently the Democrats hold a 21-15 advantage in seats held.
In the House, the Democrats currently hold an 87-64 advantage over the GOP, but the magazine says while the House is “leaning’’ Democratic, “a 12-seat loss for the Democrats is not out of the question, and that would be enough to flip control to the GOP.’’
The magazine describes itself as “the nation’s leading media platform covering politics, policy and management for state and local government leaders.’’
GOVERNING is calling the Connecticut races its “sleeper’’ pick of the year.
It’s unclear how long Trumps coattails will be and just how many seats Republicans may take. Back in 2008, President Barack Obama helped Democrats gain a supermajority in both chambers, but projecting what party will control either chamber is difficult considering the large number of lawmakers not seeking re-election.
On the Republican side, not running for House seat again our Dan Carter, William Aman, Mike Alberts, Gayle Mulligan, Craig Miner, Cecilia Buck-Taylor, Selim Noujaim, Al Adinolfi, John Shaban, and Janice Giegler.
On the Democratic side, not seeking re-election in the House are Brian Becker, Paul Brycki, Claire Janowski, David Kiner, Peggy Sayers, Roberta Willis, Frank Nicastro, J. Brendan Sharkey, Mary Fritz, and Robert W. Megna.
In the Senate, Republican Clark Chapin and Democrat Andrew Maynard are not seeking re- election.
The magazine’s rationale for calling Connecticut it’s “sleeper’’ pick, is: “The Democrats have had large legislative margins for years, but those margins have narrowed bit by bit. In addition, Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, beset by economic and fiscal challenges, is broadly unpopular.’’