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A former mayor of Stamford, Malloy was able to overcome an early campaign lead by Foley - a Quinnipiac University poll in early September had Foley leading Malloy by 6 percentage points. But by November, Malloy had increased his margin of victory, winning by 28,000 votes. In 2010, he won by a narrow 6,400 votes.
Malloy was the first Democratic governor since William O'Neill, who also won back-to-back terms in 1982 and 1986.
Although Foley was able to pick up more votes in the state’s larger urban areas this year, it wasn’t enough. Malloy was able to keep massive support in the cities and cut significantly into many areas in the upstate area of the state that had strongly backed Foley in 2010.
It was an expensive campaign, as both sides poured millions into the race with the total coming up to about $30 million.
One of the highlights of the campaign for Malloy was a joint appearance with President Barack Obama on the Sunday before Election Day. A crowd of Democratic supporters packed the gym at Central High School in Bridgeport in a rousing get-out-the-vote rally. Obama had made a similar election eve appearance in 2010, which was widely credited as contributing to his victory.
Obama praised Malloy's support of the Affordable Care Act and increases in the minimum wage.
“Dan Malloy took office facing record job losses, massive deficits, the worst recession in decades,” the president said. “He took on a tough challenge, and he made the tough calls. And while it hasn’t always been without sacrifice, there is progress here in Connecticut to be proud of.”
The result was late in coming on Election Night with Malloy finally taking the stage just after midnight to declare victory even as results were still coming in. He spoke even before Foley conceded victory, a fact that his challenger sourly noted to his followers gathered in the Hyatt Regency Greenwich.
The following afternoon, Foley conceded via email to his supporters. After that, Malloy took the stage again.
While Malloy increased his vote, he will have to deal with a changed General Assembly where Republicans made gains in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. However, even with their losses Democrats still have the majority.
Malloy will be sworn in for his second term on Jan. 7. He will then address the opening of the legislature and attend his inaugural ball.
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