Source: Connecticut State Capitol, Hartford, CT – Photo by Craig Fildes, 2016
The 2024 Presidential Race was long, divisive, and full of surprises. Yet we don’t have to wait long for the next elections in the state.
These are some of the notable elections that residents of Connecticut can expect in 2025.
Special Elections
In just over 2 weeks, two special elections will kick off the 2025 elections in Connecticut. On January 10th, Governor Ned Lamont announced two special elections for 21st State Senate Seat vacated by former State Senator Kevin Kelly (R-Stratford). Governor Lamont nominated Kelly to a Superior Court judgeship. The additional vacancy is in the 40th State House Seat, vacated by former State Rep. Christine Conley (D-Groton). She will advance for a nomination to the state’s Workers’ Compensation Commission.
In the 21st State Senate Seat, The Republican nominee will be State Rep. Jason Perillo (R-Shelton) who will face off against the Democratic nominee Stratford Town Councilor Anthony Afriyie.
In the 40th State House Seat, The Democratic nominee will be Groton City Councilman Dan Gaiewski. He will face off against the Republican nominee Robert Boris who is the Groton Economic Development Commission Chairman.
Aside from any other special elections, and the May election in the small town of Union, CT. The next elections on the ballot will only be in November. Though it sounds like a long time from now, before you know it campaign signs will be everywhere.
November Municipality Elections
During off-year election cycles in Connecticut, each municipality will hold elections for elected offices in that town, which vary from mayor to town councilor to various boards.
Here at the CT Election Guide, we have started to go through the top elected positions in every town. So far, we have a list of the mayors/selectmen of the 30 largest towns/cities. We have noted when the election will be for that municipality.
This can be confusing in Connecticut, as municipalities decide their form of government meaning titles, election systems, and term length can vary considerably. Municipalities can have systems varying from Mayor-Council to Council-Manager to Representative Town Meeting.
Not every town holds a mayor/selectman race in 2025. This includes the large cities of Bridgeport, Hartford, and Waterbury elected their mayors to a 4-year term in 2023. Large City incumbents such as Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons and New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker will face mayoral elections in November. Most towns in the state hold elections for boards and mayor every 2 years including Norwalk, Danbury, and New Britain.
Notable Retirements
We can already note two notable retirements for mayor/selectman for the 2025 election cycle. In New Britain, longtime Mayor Erin Stewart announced in September 2024 that she would not seek a seventh term. More recently, she has officially launched her anticipated exploratory campaign for the Republican nomination in Connecticut’s 2026 gubernatorial race. Another expected retirement is in Norwich, where Mayor Peter Nystrom noted in March 2021 that he would run for a final term that November which he won.
Elections to Watch
In the 2023 elections (2021 Election in Stamford), four of Connecticut’s 30 largest municipalities had contests decided by margins of less than five percentage points. These closely contested races are up for election again in 2025. In Stamford, Democrat Mayor Caroline Simmons won her first term in 2021 with a 52.5-47.5 victory over Independent and former MLB Player Bobby Valentine. While she is expected to seek a second term in November, the level of opposition she may face remains uncertain.
The next three elections is expected to be competitive due to the politically-swingy nature of these communities. In Danbury, Democrat Roberto Alves won a rematch against Republican Dean Esposito in 2023, after losing his first outing to Esposito in 2021. Both races were decided by less than two points and is expected to be competitive in a City where Kamala Harris won 53-46 against Donald Trump in the recent 2024 Presidential Election. Alves announced on January 27th that he would run for re-election.
In Milford and Trumbull, both incumbent mayors won narrowly contested races, with margins of victory under five points. Democrat Vicki Tesoro secured her fourth term in 2023, while Republican Tony Giannattasio won his first term, becoming Milford’s first Republican mayor in 12 years. Given the partisan divide in these communities—where Kamala Harris narrowly won Milford (47.3%-46.7%) and carried Trumbull (52%-47%) in 2024—both races are expected to be competitive in the upcoming election.
What to Expect
Since it is early in the cycle, numerous expected retirements and developments will occur and we will keep readers updated as announcements occur.
If you have any other notable elections to note, please don’t be afraid to contact us at contact@ctelectionguide.com
Notes: Election results numbers were slightly rounded and found on CT Secretary of State’s Website.