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Connecticut

Presidential primary: Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Congressional filing deadline: June 2008
Congressional primary: August 2008

President (7 Electoral Votes)

After voting for the GOP three straight times in the 1980s, Connecticut has voted for Democrats in the last four presidential elections. The makeup of the state clearly benefits Democrats, as every incumbent Republican is seen as a target. There is little doubt that the Democratic candidate will carry this state in 2008.

1st District - John Larson (Dem)

Central, Hartford

John Larson (Dem) - Incumbent

2nd District - Joe Courtney (Dem)

Eastern third, New London

Joe Courtney won this seat by only 83 votes in the closest race of 2006, so naturally the Democrats are in for a battle to hold on to it. The GOP has turned to Sean Sullivan, a candidate with military experience as the commander of a submarine base, to challenge Courtney. Fortunately for Courtney, this district has a history of voting for the incumbent. Democrat Sam Gejdenson held on to the seat for 20 years before Rob Simmons, who held it for six years, defeated him. The district went to John Kerry in 2004 by 14 percent, so the influence of the presidential race might help Democrats hold on to the seat.

Joe Courtney (Dem) - Incumbent
Dan Craig (Rep) - Former FEMA Official and GOP Activist
Sean Sullivan (Rep) - Attorney and Former Navy Officer

3rd District - Rosa DeLauro (Dem)

South central, New Haven

Rosa DeLauro (Dem) - Incumbent

4th District - Chris Shays (Rep)

Southwest corner, Stamford, Bridgeport

Republican Chris Shays has survived two strong challenges from Democrat Dianne Farrell and is sure to be challenged once again in 2008. Farrell has indicated that she has no interest in running a third time, so a new candidate must emerge for the Democrats. Former investment banker Jim Himes has entered the race and should serve as a formidable candidate. Shays's stance on the war is sure to be a point of contention once again in this cycle, but the elevated turnout due to the presidential race gives Democrats even more hope for unseating him. John Kerry won the district by 6 percent over President Bush; so straight ticket voting could put Himes over the top.

Chris Shays (Rep) - Incumbent
Bob Duff (Dem) - State Senator
Jim Himes (Dem) - Greenwich Democratic Chair and Non-Profit Group Executive Director
Ted Kennedy Jr (Dem) - Son of US Senator Ted Kennedy
Andrew McDonald (Dem) - State Senator
Jim Shapiro (Dem) - State Representative and Attorney

5th District - Chris Murphy (Dem)

Western, Danbury, New Britain

Chris Murphy capped off a successful cycle for Democrats in Connecticut when he won handily over incumbent Nancy Johnson. The Republicans have turned to State Senator Dave Cappiello to try to reclaim the seat. The two candidates served together in the State Senate, but Cappiello's district includes three towns in the southern part of the 5th Congressional District, which gives him decent name recognition among the voters. However, Murphy enjoys a strong money advantage, according to the latest FEC data. This race will be one to watch.

Chris Murphy (Dem) - Incumbent
Mark Boughton (Rep) - Danbury Mayor, Former State Representative, Teacher and Army Reserve Veteran
Sam Caligiuri (Rep) - State Senator, Former Waterbury Mayor, Former Waterbury Board President and Attorney
David Cappiello (Rep) - State Senator, Former State Representative and Mortgage Loan Officer
Tom Herlihy (Rep) - State Senator, Former State Representative and Former Simsbury Selectman
Andrew Roraback (Rep) - State Senator, Former State Representative and Attorney
Tim Stewart (Rep) - New Britain Mayor