1982 Connecticut Senate election

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. Immediately following the elections, Republican Senate minority leader George Gunther was ousted and replaced with Philip S. Robertson. == Retirements == Eight incumbents did not seek re-election. === Democrats === District 5: Clifton A. Leonhardt retired to run for Connecticut's 6th congressional district. (Later withdrew). District 9: Bill Curry retired to unsuccessfully run for Connecticut's 6th congressional district against Nancy Johnson. District 11: Anthony M. Ciarlone retired. === Republican === District 6: Nancy Johnson retired to successfully run for Connecticut's 6th congressional district against Bill Curry. District 8: Russell L. Post Jr. retired to run for governor. (Later withdrew). District 15: Gerald Labriola retired to unsuccessfully run for lieutenant governor of Connecticut. District 25: Alfred Santaniello Jr. retired. District 28: Myron R. Ballen retired. == Special elections == 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 1st 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. == Incumbents defeated == === In primary election === ==== Democrats ==== District 3: Marcella Fahey lost renomination to John B. Larson. === In general election === ==== Democrats ==== District 33: Frederick R. Knous lost re-election to Kenneth T. Hampton. == Results == === District 1 === === District 2 === === District 3 === === District 4 === === District 5 === === District 6 === === District 7 === === District 8 === === District 9 === === District 10 === === District 11 === === District 12 === === District 13 === === District 14 === === District 15 === === District 16 === === District 17 === === District 18 === === District 19 === === District 20 === === District 21 === === District 22 === === District 23 === === District 24 === === District 25 === === District 26 === === District 27 === === District 28 === === District 29 === === District 30 === === District 31 === === District 32 === === District 33 === === District 34 === === District 35 === === District 36 === == References ==