50 Best State GOP Electoral Successes - Connecticut

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Now batting in our continuing "50 Best" series, the state of Connecticut. With all federal seats in the state currently held by Democrats (and one "Independent" as Senator), it's hard to believe that just two years ago this Northeast state had three of its five congressional districts held by Republicans. And prior to this series' cutoff of 1960, all districts (six at the time) and both U.S. Senators were represented by the GOP. My, how times have changed. The state, like the rest of the Northeast, has moved left, and therefore more Democrat over the decades. GOP Representatives over the last decade have been from the moderate wing of the party, irritating conservative purists nationally. One positive over the last few decades though has been GOP success at holding the Governor's mansion here. Despite the challenges, Connecticut has fielded a number of Republicans that can teach the party lessons on how to win in normally liberal bastions of the country.
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Before handing out the award, it bears reminding that the "50 Best" honor goes to the GOP politician who has been the most successful electorally, considering what challenges the individual faces in his or her particular state or district. It's not necessarily a reflection of how great the individual was at doing his job while in office or how clean the person was from an ethical standpoint. Bottom line: who succeeded in getting the votes despite the numerous challenges.

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That being said, the best GOP electoral story for the state of Connecticut over the last 50 years goes to former Governor John Rowland, the first governor of Connecticut since 1784 to be elected to three terms. Unfortunately, he never got to complete the third term, as charges of corruption while in office forced his resignation in the middle of that term. Later, Rowland pleaded guilty in federal court to indictments for conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, mail fraud and tax fraud. (All fraud bases covered by the ex-Governor.)

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John G Rowland was elected in 1980 to the Connecticut State House of Representatives at the ripe age of 23. Four years later he was elected to the US. Congress from CT's 5th District. He was then reelected two times following. In 1990 Rowland ran unsuccessfully for Governor, losing a three-person race by only 3% to former Senator Lowell Weicker (a former Republican who ran as an Independent). Still politically viable at 33, Rowland did not let this setback get him down, as he ran for the governorship a second time, this time winning by 3.5% (with 36% total in a four-candidate race) during the national GOP tide of 1994. Helped by record-breaking surpluses in the state (combined with tax-rebate checks sent to taxpayers) during his tenure, Rowland cruised to reelection with an astounding 63% of the vote over sitting U.S. Rep Barbara Kennelly in 1998. At this point, Rowland was seen as a potential Presidential/VP candidate for the 2000 open seat. Four years later in 2002, he won a 3rd term as Governor with a "meager" 56% total vote against a Clinton administration official.

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While the actions that led to his demise as governor are hardly commendable (misuse of his office for personal contracting among them), it is his record of victories in an increasingly-Democrat state (while running and governing as a fiscal and law-and-order conservative) which earns John Rowland the "50 Best" honor for the state of Connecticut.

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Honorable Mention: Former U.S. Reps Chris Shays and Nancy Johnson.

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Next installment: Deleware
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- 50 Best