The Ballot Brief
Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut

Connecticut Senate District 33

2 candidates are tracked for Connecticut Senate District 33 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Norm Needleman and Charles Ferraro. Candidate information follows official Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Norm Needleman (Democratic), Charles Ferraro (Republican) are the major-party nominees for Connecticut Senate District 33 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. Norm Needleman 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, Norm Needleman, is on the ballot.

Connecticut › Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region › Connecticut Senate District 33

Norm Needleman

Democratic Incumbent

Top priorities
  • Reduce Connecticut's energy costs and expand consumer access to renewable energy including solar power
  • Increase nuclear capacity alongside renewable energy sources
  • Support green workforce development

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Norm Needleman is the Democratic state senator for Connecticut's 33rd District, seeking a fifth term, per his campaign site. He also serves as Essex First Selectman and built a Connecticut business that employs hundreds of people, per his campaign site. Needleman serves as Senate Chair of the Energy and Technology Committee and Vice Chair of the Planning and Development Committee, per his campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Charles Ferraro

Republican

Top priorities
  • Wants to remove utility surcharges and address the state's high electric rates.
  • Supports expanding property tax credits.
  • Opposes state mandated zoning regulations in favor of local control.

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Charles Ferraro, of Clinton, served five terms in the Connecticut House of Representatives for the 117th District covering Milford, Orange and West Haven, per his campaign site. He was the Republican leader on the Energy and Technology Committee and also served on the Veterans' Affairs Committee, per the same source.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)
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Questions about this race

Who is running for Connecticut Senate District 33 in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for Connecticut Senate District 33 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Norm Needleman and Charles Ferraro. Candidate information follows official Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Connecticut Senate District 33 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 Southeastern 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 Southeastern 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 Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region ballot

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

Also on your ballot
Connecticut House District 34Connecticut House District 37Connecticut House District 38See all 19 Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region races
Candidate profiles
Norm Needleman, full profileCharles Ferraro, full profileOfficial Connecticut election office