Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut

Connecticut Senate District 18

2 candidates are tracked for Connecticut Senate District 18 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Joe de la Cruz and Heather Somers. Candidate information follows official Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Joe de la Cruz (Democratic), Heather Somers (Republican) are the major-party nominees for Connecticut Senate District 18 on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Listed from the party endorsement and nomination certificates filed with the Secretary of the State and the August 11 primary results; minor-party lines and petitioning candidates are certified separately and are not yet reflected here. Heather Somers is the sitting member, per the General Assembly's member list. Connecticut nominates by party convention; an August 11, 2026 primary was held only where a challenger qualified, per the Secretary of the State.

What this office does

State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.

This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. The sitting officeholder, Heather Somers, is on the ballot.

Connecticut › Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region › Connecticut Senate District 18

Joe de la Cruz

Democratic

Top priorities

Support universal health coverage
Support mental health and addiction recovery resources, including standards of care for sober living homes
Support paid family leave, a higher minimum wage, and lower energy costs

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Joe de la Cruz is a candidate for Connecticut Senate District 18, per his campaign site. He previously served three terms as a state representative for the 41st District and nine years on Groton's Representative Town Meeting and Town Council, per his campaign site. De la Cruz joined Sheet Metal Workers Union Local 40 in 1997, later becoming Vice President at the Hillery Company, and co-founded Community Speaks Out, an organization connecting families affected by addiction to treatment and support, per his campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Heather Somers

Republican Incumbent

Top priorities

Reduce the income tax burden on small businesses and seniors
Support access to affordable, high-quality health care, including a focus on mental health resources
Support Eastern Connecticut's fishing fleet, agriculture producers, tourism and military installations

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Heather Somers is the Republican state senator for Connecticut's 18th District, representing Eastern Connecticut, per her campaign site. She has served in the Senate since January 2017 and previously served as a Groton town councilor and as mayor of Groton, per her campaign site. Somers was a co-founder of a biotech company and serves as chief deputy Republican leader, having chaired the Public Health Committee, per her campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Connecticut Senate District 18 in 2026?

When is the Connecticut Senate District 18 election in Connecticut?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Connecticut are on the Connecticut election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region and state election office filings. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Connecticut election office, or see the full Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region ballot

9 tracked races in Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

Connecticut Senate District 35 Connecticut House District 44 Connecticut House District 45 See all 9 Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region races

Candidate profiles

Joe de la Cruz, full profile Heather Somers, full profile Official Connecticut election office