Connecticut’s primary elections are scheduled for August 9, 2022. All eyes will be on key Republican races for the US Senate and the governor’s office. GOP has pushed to increase its stronghold in the Democrat-leaning state, but with little success.

It has been more than 30 years since Connecticut has elected a Republican politician to the US Senate. Democrats have maintained a dominant position in the state, which voted for Hilary Clinton in 2016 and Joe Biden in 2020.

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In the GOP primary to take on Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, the party has endorsed former state House Minority Leader Themis Klarides, news agency Associated Press reported.

She is a social moderate who supports abortion rights and certain gun control measures and says she did not vote for Trump in 2020. Klarides contends her experience and positions can persuade voters to oppose Blumenthal, a two-term senator who in May registered a 45% job approval rating, his lowest in a Quinnipiac poll since taking office.

Klarides is being challenged by conservative attorney Peter Lumaj and Republican National Committee member Leora Levy, whom Trump endorsed last week. Both candidates oppose abortion rights and further gun restrictions, and they back the former President’s policies.

The governor’s race is also expected to transform into a dramatic competition in the upcoming midterm general elections. Media reports suggest that incumbent Ned Lamont, a Democrat, will face Republican rival Bob Stefanowski.

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The two have a rich competition history and will renew their rivalry after the 2018 elections, when Republicans held the White House. According to a Quinnipiac University poll, Lamont leads Stefanowski 51-43% in the gubernatorial elections in Connecticut.

The 5th Congressional district of Connecticut is also on the ballot on Tuesday. The direct Republican-Democrat clash includes Jahana Hayes and George Logan.