Richard Blumenthal is a Democratic senator from Connecticut. He was first elected in 2010 and has been re-elected twice since, including a ~15-point win in 2022. He’s known nationally for his aggressive, camera-forward oversight style and his focus on corporate accountability.
Born February 13, 1946, in New York City, Blumenthal graduated from Harvard College and Yale Law School, where he was editor of the Yale Law Journal. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, worked in the White House under the Carter administration, and went on to become U.S. Attorney for Connecticut and then the state’s Attorney General.
As Attorney General for 20 years, he built a brand as a relentless consumer watchdog. In the Senate, he’s pushed for lower drug prices, veterans’ mental health support, tech and data privacy regulation, gun safety, and stronger corporate liability for harms ranging from opioids to product safety.
Establishment Democrat
Achievements
- National advocate for consumer and data privacy protections, especially around Big Tech and online platforms
- Championed expanded veterans' healthcare and mental health resources, including suicide prevention efforts
- Helped lead Senate investigations into the opioid crisis and pharmaceutical industry accountability
- Supported major federal climate, infrastructure, and gun safety legislation
Controversies
- Faced long-running criticism for past remarks that blurred his service timeline during the Vietnam era
- Sometimes criticized from the left for being slower to back aggressive antitrust crackdowns on tech giants
- Seen by some as emblematic of entrenched Connecticut Democratic establishment politics
Top Donors
| Donor | Total | Individuals | PACs |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Israel Public Affairs Cmte | $148,013 | $140,113 | $7,900 |
| Paul, Weiss et al | $83,130 | $83,130 | $0 |
| Apollo Global Management | $66,005 | $66,005 | $0 |
| Pro-Israel America PAC | $51,600 | $51,600 | $0 |
| Charter Communications | $50,501 | $40,501 | $10,000 |
Donor totals reflect linked giving; includes legal, telecom, and pro-Israel advocacy sources.
Recent Elections
2010 Margin D +12%
2016 Margin D +29%
2022 Margin D +15%