Senator Blumenthal: Electoral Circumstances

Last Election 

In the last election, running for an open seat, Senator Blumenthal defeated his Republican challenger Linda McMahon by a margin of 55% to 43%. 

In this race Blumenthal was outspent by a margin of $50 million to $9 million. A lot of McMahon's campaign finances came from her own personal fortune. Her husband is Vince McMahon, owner of WWE, and is worth $1.2 billion dollars. In her past two senate races, Linda McMahon has spent over $100 million of her own money on the campaigns, setting a new record for using personal fiances on campaigns. 

Even with the massive difference in fundraising, Blumenthal commanded a large lead over McMahon until a scandal broke that Blumenthal may have lied about serving in Vietnam. This caused his lead to shrink 14 points in the polls, but he was able to weather the storm and win the election. 

2016 Primary Election Outlook

At this time, ballotpedia does not list anyone challenging Blumenthal in the primary. Govtrack.us rates Blumenthal's bills introduced and co-sponsored as the 6th most progressive in the Senate. His progressive stance would make it difficult for a primary challenger to unseat him. 

2016 General Election Outlook

Senator Blumenthal's 2016 election out look is very strong. PublicPolicy has his approval ratings at +22, second highest for Senators up for reelection, behind only Chuck Grassley of Iowa. Redstate.com, a conservative news source, does not think any Republican challenger stands a chance. They rate the likelihood of a Republican victory at 3%. This is considered a very safe Democrat seat. 

Campaign Finance Status 

Given the safe nature of his seat, Blumenthal has fund-raised well below the Senate average according  to opensecrets. Blumenthal does have personal wealth to draw upon if needed, he is the 8th wealthiest member of Congress according to rollcall, with a net worth of $52.93 million. 

Strategy: Senator Blumenthal

Active Legislator 

Photo credit

"Aggressive advocacy for me has been an important part of my job" Senator Blumenthal

Senator Blumenthal's strategy is to legislate early, and often. And then legislate some more. If Senator Blumenthal is not sponsoring legislation, then you can bet he is on the look out for legislation he could co-sponsor. Govtrack.us's 2014 report card for Senator Blumenthal shows that Blumenthal introduced 63 bills during the 113th Congress, which is number one for Senate sophomores, and ranks 13th overall. Blumenthal did not just introduce bills, govtrack.us shows that Blumenthal was able to get two bills passed, good for 18th best in the Senate. These bills were S. 1174, a bill to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the 65th Infantry Regiment, known as the Borinqueneers, and S. 2807, Death in Custody Reporting Act of 2013. Opensecrets states that Blumenthal co-sponsored 396 bills (median is 233) during the 113th, good for 3rd overall. Govtrack.us rates Blumenthal's bills introduced and co-sponsored as the 6th most progressive in the Senate. This strategy makes sense given the deep, deep blue nature of Connecticut's constituency. This ideological stance is useful for appealing to the general feelings of his constituents, but opens him to the charge of being an active part of the problem of the bi-partisan gridlock. Senator Blumenthal has made efforts to show he is willing to work with Republicans on issues that are in  line with both parties, such as a bill he co-sponsored with John McCain on providing mental health services to returning veterans. Senator Blumenthal stresses this bi-partisanship and shares credit claiming with Senator McCain in the opening parts of this interview with MNSBC's Morning Joe. Senator Blumenthal also takes positions on ISIS and Israeli PM's upcoming controversial speech to congress.  

Back in Connecticut Senator Blumenthal returns to speak on his active legislating in the Senate on behalf of the state of Connecticut. He especially likes to focus on areas of consumer protection. The Connecticut Mirror, a independent, non-partisan, non-profit organization committed to coverage of Connecticut politics and policies according to INN, states that "Over the past two years he’s (Blumenthal) hounded automakers over defective ignition switches and airbags, the NFL over sports blackouts and domestic assaults, and electronic cigarette makers over their advertising to teenagers." His voting record shows his serious commitment to consumer safety, but his actions do not always show he cares about his personal safety. This ironic video shows him almost getting hit by a train as he is a part of a news conference on commuter safety in Connecticut. This trip does highlight how he returns to Connecticut to promote his advocacy on consumer protection, in the state of Connecticut and the nation.

Say hello to Richard Blumenthal, champion of the old

Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal (D) 

Biography 

Age: Born February 13th, 1946 (68)

Residence: Greenwich, Connecticut (Born in New York City)

Family: Wife, Cynthia. Has four children.

Religion: Judaism

Early Life and Education  

Richard Blumenthal was born and grew up in Brooklyn New York, the son of a Jewish immigrant from Frankfurt Germany. Senator Blumenthal received his B.A. from Harvard University where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. Senator Blumenthal then attended Yale Law School where he was the Editor-in-Chief of the Yale Law Journal. Blumenthal served in the United States Marine Corps Reserves from 1970-1976, when he was honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant. 

Previous Experience

Senator Blumenthal started his political career serving as an administrative assistant to US Senators Abraham Ribicoff and Daniel P. Moynihan. Blumenthal also served as a clerk to US Supreme Court Justice Harry Blackmun. From 1977-1981 he was the United States Prosecutor for the District of Connecticut. Blumenthal became a state representative in 1984, representing the 145th district of Connecticut.  In 1987 Blumenthal became a state senator representing Connecticut's 27th district. Blumenthal was elected Connecticut's Attorney General in 1990, a position he held until his election to the senate in 2011.

In the Senate 

This is Blumenthal's first term in the senate, having been elected in 2011. Senator Blumenthal is the ranking member for the Committee on Veterans Affairs, as well as serving on the Committee on the Judiciary, Committee on Armed Services, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Fun Facts 

-Blumenthal was classmates with future President Bill Clinton and future Secretary of State Hilary Clinton at Yale

-Blumenthal was awarded the Fiske Fellowship which allowed Blumenthal to spend a year studying at Cambridge University in England following his graduation from Harvard

-Senator Blumenthal is a large advocate for senior citizens, voicing commitment for the preservation of social security and medicare, as well as sponsoring legislation to stop elderly abuse

-Senator was an opponent of the death penalty. As an attorney he represented a client who was wrongly convicted, staving off his execution 15 hours before he was set to be killed by the state. Following his run for attorney general he switched his position to supporting the death penalty  

Connecticut 

Statehood- 1788

Origin of name-  Based on the word “Quinnehtukqut,” which is Mohegan for “Long River Place” or “Beside the Long Tidal River” 

State Motto- Qui Transtulit Sustinet, “He Who Transplanted Still Sustains”

State Nickname- “The Constitution State,” adopted in 1959

State Capital- Hartford

Fun Fact- Connecticut was one of only two states that did not ratify the 18th Amendment (Prohibition). The other being Rhode Island. Yay beer!

Demographics (2014)

Population- 3,596,677

White- 81%

Black or African American- 11.3%

Hispanic- 14.7%

Median Household Income- $69,461 (US average is $53,046) 

Sources:

• http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/09000.html 
• file:///C:/Users/Eric/Downloads/Connecticut%20Fun%20Facts%20(1).pdf
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Blumenthal
• http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/20/nyregion/20conn.html?_r=0
• http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/biography
• http://www.factmonster.com/us-states/connecticut.html
• http://www.funtrivia.com/askft/Question3444.html
• http://www.world-wide-gifts.com/images/large/acrylic-fridge-magnet-united-states-of-america-connecticut-state-flag.jpg