Vote Tuesday! Republicans, Democrats Head to the Polls for Aug. 14 Primary

Registered Republicans and Democrats in Connecticut on Tuesday, Aug. 14, for candidates running in state and federal elections.

Polls open across the state at 6 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

While registered voters can't switch their party affiliation at this point, unaffiliated or unregistered voters can register by noon today to vote in either primary.

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All Connecticut residents, either Republicans or Democrats, who vote in Tuesday's primary will choose between two candidates in their respective parties for the open U.S. Senate race.

This is the seat currently held by U.S. Senator Joseph I. Lieberman, a former Democrat-turned-Independent who is retiring. 

DEMOCRATS

• , current congressman from the Fifth District, the party's endorsed candidate and a Cheshire resident.

• Susan Bysiewicz, former Secretary of the State and Middletown resident.

REPUBLICANS

• Linda E. McMahon, a former CEO Of WWE, the party's endorsed candidate and Greenwich resident.

• , former congressman from the 4th Congressional District in Fairfield County and a resident of Bridgeport.

There is no primary in the First Congressional District this year. For the Democrats, the endorsed candidate is incumbent , of East Hartford, and the Republican challenger this year is , a Republican businessman from West Hartford.

Rep. John Larson has been serving the first congressional district in congress since 1999. During his tenure, Larson has secured the defense contracts for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter's F-135 Engine, which were built in Connecticut in 2011.

He started the Connecticut in January with the purpose of the program being to bring what are known as "Track One” candidates together with prospective employers who are looking for a certain skill set.

In May, Larson introduced "the 'Victory for Veterans' commemorative stamp, which is a .21 cent stamp that has no postage value, but can be placed on letters to show support for our veterans," according to an email from his spokesman.

 On his Facebook page, John Decker states that he is a "real person" and not a "career politician." 

"I look forward to a time when we elect real people at home in their communities instead of re-electing career politicians interested in spending our money and in their own self-preservation," he wrote on his Facebook page.

Decker has served Connecticut as a financial advisor for the past 16 years. He recently earned his certified financial planner designation, serves on the Board of Directors of Business for Downtown Hartford and is a deacon, according to his Facebook page.

The candidates will all rendezvous with their campaign staffs during Tuesday evening at hotels, restaurants and other venues, to watch as the returns from the primary are called in.

These campaign gatherings happen around the time the polls close, at 8 p.m., and supporters and local reporters will likely show up too.

Here’s a breakdown on where each candidate is expected to be after the votes are called in:

U.S. Senate

• Murphy Campaign: Omni Hotel, 155 Temple St., New Haven
• Bysiewicz Campaign: Mattabesett Canoe Club, 80 Harbor Drive, Middletown (Bysiewicz expected to address supporters at 8:30 p.m.)
• McMahon Campaign: Hilton Stamford Hotel, 1 Stamford Place, Stamford
• Shays Campaign: Campaign Headquarters, 2013 Main St., Stratford

First Congressional District

• Larson Campaign: A spokesman said there were no plans for any events Tuesday. 
• Decker Campaign: Did not return messages seeking information.