United States Senate election in Connecticut, 2010

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Categories: Connecticut elections, 2010 | United States Senate elections, 2010 | United States Senate elections in Connecticut | Stubs

First elected in 1980, Christopher Dodd, the longest-serving U.S. Senator in Connecticut history, announced in a letter to the Federal Election Commission on January 17, 2007 that he was no longer a candidate for re-election to the U.S. Senate in 2010. However, this may just have been a technicality in order to transfer funds to his presidential campaign as the declaration could be reversed at any time. A Dodd spokesman said, "It's a legality that isn't an indication of future plans."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Dodd's campaign for the presidency was not successful, so it is possible that he will run for the Senate again. According to Republican Lieutenant Governor Michael Fedele, Republican Governor Jodi Rell is likely running for re-election in 2010, so it is unlikely that either will run for the Senate.<ref name=autogenerated1>Template:Cite news</ref>

Dodd's previously unassailable electoral position in Connecticut may have deteriorated for two reasons since his last re-election. His poor performance in his bid for the 2008 Democratic Presidential nomination appears to have soured local voters. <ref>[1]</ref>. That poll, showing Dodd's job approval at 51% was taken before revelations that Dodd received mortgage loans as part of the "Friends of Angelo" program run by subprime mortgage lender Countrywide Financial. The Hartford Courant has reported Dodd has taken a "major credibility hit" from this scandal. A later poll in September 2008 showed Dodd's job approval declining to 43%, with 46% terming his job performance as "fair" or "poor". <ref>[2]</ref>

Should Dodd seek re-election in 2010 despite the scandal, possible Republican candidates other than Rell or Fedele would include Congressman Chris Shays; former Congressman Rob Simmons; Associate U.S. Attorney General Kevin J. O'Connor; State Senator John P. McKinney; State Senator Sam Caligiuri, or House Minority Leader Lawrence F. Cafero.

See also

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