The candidates for governor and lieutenant governor spent about $12 per vote last November, taking advantage of $14.8 million in subsidies from Connecticut taxpayers for the general election and the Republican primaries.
The latter was proportionately much more expensive, with Republican Tom Foley spending $38.46 per vote to win his party’s nomination for governor for the second time in four years.
Here’s a look at the return on investment for all five statewide races, which Democrats swept. All candidates for statewide office are subject to routine audits by the state Elections Enforcement Commission and are not required to issue refund checks of unspent funds until the end of June.
For candidates with primaries, Hearst Connecticut Media segregated out their general election totals. The analysis also reflects the vote totals for candidates who ran on two lines such as Democratic/Working Families parties and Republican/Independent parties. Special thanks to the commission for providing us the roster of participants and refund amounts.
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1of10<p>Governor/Lt. Governor: Dannel P. Malloy/Nancy Wyman (D) †</p>
<p>Spent: $6,758,683 (includes $6.5M in CEP funds).</p>
<p>Returned: Pending</p>
<p>Balance: $3,065</p>
<p>Spending per vote: $12.19</p>AP Photo/Jessica HillShow MoreShow Less2of10<p>Governor/Lt. Governor: Tom Foley/Heather Bond Somers (R)</p>
<p>Spent: $8,716,862 (includes $8,306,275 in CEP funds)*</p>
<p>Returned: Pending</p>
<p>Balance: $11,488</p>
<p>Spending per vote: $12.41 for the general election; $38.46 for the primary (Foley); $18.06 for the primary (Somers)</p>Keelin DalyShow MoreShow Less3of10<p>Treasurer: Denise Nappier (D) †</p>
<p>Spent: $892,927 (includes $806,000 in CEP funds)</p>
<p>Returned: Pending</p>
<p>Balance: $2,487</p>
<p>Spending per vote: $1.67</p>STShow MoreShow Less4of10<p>Treasurer: Tim Herbst (R)</p>
<p>Spent: $887,870 (includes $806,000 in CEP funds)</p>
<p>Returned: $3,051</p>
<p>Balance: $0</p>
<p>Spending per vote: $1.73</p>Tyler SizemoreShow MoreShow Less5of10<p>Attorney General: George C. Jepsen (D) †</p>
<p>Spent: $896,449</p>
<p>Returned: $140</p>
<p>Balance: $75</p>
<p>Spending per vote: $1.52</p>Cathy ZurawShow MoreShow Less6of10<p>Attorney General: Kie Westby (R)</p>
<p>Spent: $893,330 (includes $806,000 in CEP funds)±</p>
<p>Returned: Pending</p>
<p>Balance: $293,338</p>
<p>Spending per vote: $2.08 per vote±</p>Contributed PhotoShow MoreShow Less7of10<p>Secretary of State: Denise Merrill (D) †</p>
<p>Spent: $891,338 (includes $806,000 in CEP funds)</p>
<p>Returned: $5,129</p>
<p>Balance: $0</p>
<p>Spending per vote: $1.67</p>Helen NeafseyShow MoreShow Less8of10<p>Secretary of State: Peter Lumaj (R)</p>
<p>Spent: $817,738 (includes $806,000 in CEP funds)</p>
<p>Returned: Pending</p>
<p>Balance: $75,757</p>
<p>Spending per vote: $1.67</p>Genevieve ReillyShow MoreShow Less9of10<p>State Comptroller: Kevin Lembo (D) †</p>
<p>Spent: $867,900</p>
<p>Returned: $35,322</p>
<p>Balance: $162</p>
<p>Spending per vote: $1.61</p>Contributed PhotoShow MoreShow Less10of10<p>State Comptroller: Sharon J. McLaughlin (R)</p>
<p>N/A did not participate in CEP</p>Contributed PhotoShow MoreShow Less
Source: State Elections Enforcement Commission
† denotes incumbent
*totals for both the general election and GOP primaries for governor & lieutenant governor
± Westby’s lawyer says spending total does not reflect a $280,000 that was returned by campaign manager Ron Wilcox
