A look at top races on the 2018 Connecticut ballot

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Two businessmen are locked in a tight race for governor, an acclaimed educator is looking to become the first black woman to represent Connecticut in Congress, and each major party is hoping to seize control of the deadlocked state Senate.

Interest in races up and down the ballot has been leading large numbers of people to register to vote before Tuesday’s election. With 2.16 million people signed up to vote, registrations have reached numbers unseen in recent years, according to Secretary of the State Denise Merrill. She said it’s unclear what that will mean for turnout.

“This year, more than ever, I don’t know. I’m really stunned by the increased registration,” said Merrill, a Democrat running for re-election herself.

Here is a look at some of the key races:

US HOUSE

Connecticut’s delegation to Congress hasn’t included a Republican since U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays lost his bid for re-election in 2008. Democrats are hoping for another sweep this year, with former national teacher of the year Jahana Hayes running as their candidate for the only open seat, in the fifth district. U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty chose not to seek re-election. Hayes is facing former Meriden mayor Manny Santos.

Incumbents John Larson, Rosa DeLauro, Joe Courtney and Jim Himes are looking to hold onto their seats against challengers with less money and name recognition.

GOVERNOR

For months the two major party candidates for governor, Republican Bob Stefanowksi and Democrat Ned Lamont, have been slugging it out on debate stages and in campaign television ads.

Each has argued their career experience in business will help them right the state’s budget woes. Lamont has held himself out as a bulwark against the policies of President Donald Trump while Stefanowski has focused much of his campaign messaging on promises to cut taxes. Also on the ballot are independent candidate Oz Griebel, Libertarian Rod Hanscomb and Mark Stewart Greenstein, co-founder of Americans for Minimal Government Party.

US SENATE

In 2012, 2014 and 2016, small business owner Matt Corey ran for Congress and was trounced by Larson. He’s hoping for a different result this year as the Republican nominee to take on U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, a Democrat seeking a second six-year term.

With an enormous advantage in fundraising, Murphy has focused much of his campaigning efforts on helping candidates other than himself.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Control of both chambers could be at stake in Tuesday’s election but all eyes are on the state Senate, which is currently split with 18 Republicans and 18 Democrats.

Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman, a Democrat, has cast tie-breaking votes on issues including the approval last year of a new round of labor concessions in the budget-making process. Democrats currently control the state House of Representatives by a margin of 80-71.

BALLOT QUESTIONS

Connecticut voters will be deciding whether to make two amendments to the state constitution.

One ballot question asks whether to create a so-called lockbox to keep money designated for transportation projects from being spent elsewhere. Another asks whether to place limits on the General Assembly when it attempts to transfer or sell state-owned property to a non-state entity - a measure prompted by controversy over the so-called Haddam land swap deal that fizzled in 2012. Connecticut last had a ballot question in 2014, when voters rejected a proposed amendment that could have allowed early voting.

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Associated Press writer Susan Haigh contributed to this report.