1978 Connecticut State Treasurer election

1978 Connecticut State Treasurer election

November 7, 1978

Nominee Henry E. Parker Margaret B. Melady Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 566,529 421,367 Percentage 57.3% 42.7%

Parker:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Melady:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

State Treasurer before election Henry E. Parker Democratic Elected State Treasurer Henry E. Parker Democratic

The 1978 Connecticut State Treasurer election took place on November 7, 1978, to elect the Connecticut State Treasurer. Incumbent Democratic State Treasurer, Henry E. Parker won re-election to a second term, defeating Republican nominee, Margaret B. Melady, a Fairfield university instructor.

This is the last election until 2002 where a Democrat won every county.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Henry E. Parker, incumbent state treasurer (1975-1986)

Republican primary

The Republican convention delegation chose Margaret B. Melady, a political newcomer, who was unknown to much of the convention. Following the announcement of her candidacy by convention leaders, Rep. Alan J. Mazolla threatened to run contend for the nomination, but declined to do so before the roll call vote. The convention delegation also considered choosing State Representative Elinor Wilbur of the 133rd district.

Candidates

Nominee

• Margaret B. Meladay, SHU assistant professor and wife of Thomas Patrick Melady, Sacred Heart University President and former U.S. Ambassador to Burundi and Uganda

Declined

• Alan J. Mazolla, State Representative of the 49th district

General election

Results

1978 Connecticut State Treasurer election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Henry E. Parker (Incumbent)	566,529	57.34%	−1.56%
	Republican	John T. Becker	421,367	42.65%	+2.91%
	Write-in	N/A	64	0.01%	N/A
Total votes			987,960	100.0%
	Democratic hold

By county

Parker won all eight counties.

County	Henry E. Parker Democratic		John T. Becker Republican		Total votes cast
Fairfield	123,547	50.56%	120,815	49.44%	244,362
Hartford	162,218	60.96%	103,903	39.04%	266,121
Litchfield	30,472	54.20%	25,748	45.80%	56,220
Middlesex	26,733	58.64%	18,859	41.36%	45,592
New Haven	145,655	58.70%	102,480	41.30%	248,135
New London	40,299	61.35%	25,392	38.65%	65,691
Tolland	20,395	60.03%	13,582	39.97%	33,977
Windham	17,210	61.91%	10,588	38.09%	27,798
Total	566,529	57.34%	421,367	42.65%	987,960

By congressional district

Parker won all six congressional districts, even while the 4th district elected a Republican U.S. Representative.

District	Henry E. Parker Democratic		Margaret B. Melady Republican		Total votes cast	Representative
	#	%	#	%
1st	101,154	60.90%	64,936	39.10%	166,090	William R. Cotter
2nd	97,861	60.74%	63,262	39.26%	161,123	Chris Dodd
3rd	96,090	59.37%	65,753	40.63%	161,843	Robert Giaimo
4th	72,859	52.42%	66,142	47.58%	139,001	Stewart McKinney
5th	95,633	52.99%	84,834	47.01%	180,467	Ronald A. Sarasin (95th Congress)
						William R. Ratchford (96th Congress)
6th	102,932	57.38%	76,440	42.62%	179,372	Toby Moffett
Totals	566,529	57.34%	421,367	42.65%	987,960