Connecticut Republican Party


The Connecticut Republican Party is the Connecticut affiliate of the U.S. Republican Party. J.R. Romano, a Derby resident and campaign organizer, is the party chairman, elected June 23, 2015. Prior to his election as chairman, Romano managed the campaigns of New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart and Trumbull First Selectman Timothy Herbst in his run for State Treasurer.
The party controls neither chambers of the state legislature, no constitutional state offices, and none of Connecticut's five seats in the House or its two Senate seats. The last Republican to represent the state in the House of Representatives was Chris Shays, a moderate who lost his seat in 2008. The last Republican to represent the state in the Senate was Lowell Weicker, who lost his seat in 1988 to Joe Lieberman.

Town Committees

In Connecticut, there are Republican Town Committees in many of the towns and cities. They consist of an elected Chairperson, Co-Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer. The Town Committees have the ability to endorse a particular candidate in a primary election. According to 10 CS 210, court has no power concerning political party policies or organization.

Elected officials

Members of Congress

U.S. Senate

Both of Connecticut's U.S. Senate seats have been held by Democrats since 1988. Lowell Weicker was the last Republican to represent Connecticut in the U.S. Senate. First elected in 1970, Weicker lost his bid for a fourth term in 1988 to Joe Lieberman.

U.S. House of Representatives

All 5 of Connecticut's congressional districts have been held by Democrats since 2008. The last Republican to represent Connecticut in the House of Representatives was Chris Shays. First elected in a 1987 special election, Shays was subsequently defeated by Democratic challenger Jim Himes in 2008.

Statewide offices

Connecticut has not elected any GOP candidates to statewide office since 2006, when Jodi Rell was elected to a full term as governor. First elected as lieutenant governor in 1994, Rell assumed the position of governor in 2004 following the resignation of John G. Rowland. In 2010, Rell opted not to seek re-election to a second term. Former U.S. Ambassador Thomas C. Foley ran as the Republican nominee in the 2010 election and was subsequently defeated by Democratic challenger Dannel Malloy.

State legislative leaders