Profile Photo
Richard BlumenthalDEMDemocrat United States Senator
78
Years of Age
40
Years of Experience
CTResidence (state)

Richard Blumenthal (BLOO-mən-thahl; born February 13, 1946) is an American lawyer and politician who is the senior United States senator from Connecticut, a seat he has held since 2011. A member of the Democratic Party, he is one of the wealthiest members of the Senate, with a net worth over $100 million. He was Attorney General of Connecticut from 1991 to 2011. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Blumenthal attended Riverdale Country School, a private school in the Bronx. He graduated from Harvard College, where he was chair of the editorial board of The Harvard Crimson. He studied for a year at Trinity College, Cambridge, in England before attending Yale Law School, where he was editor-in-chief of the Yale Law Journal. From 1970 to 1976, Blumenthal served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, attaining the rank of sergeant. After law school, Blumenthal passed the bar and served as administrative assistant and law clerk for several Washington, D.C. figures. From 1977 to 1981, he was United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut. In the early 1980s he worked in private law practice, including as volunteer counsel for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.

Voterly's Issue Scores  (1 - 30 of 30)

Below lists the position this politician has taken on a political issue. The star rating represents the politician's prioritization and action on the issue based on data collected by relevant interest groups. Select an issue to view a more in-depth explanation of each rating.

Special Interest Group Ratings

Interest Groups That SUPPORT
Rating
Interest Groups That OPPOSE
Rating
Average Score

Disclaimer: A special interest group's positions on issues are gathered from various reputable sources including the organization's website, social media accounts, press releases, and other public communications. Special interest group politician ratings are provided by VoteSmart.org. Positions and ratings are subject to change and we may experience delays, interruptions, or errors, as a result. If you believe this information is inaccurate, please submit a problem report. Submit Report.

0 / 30

Campaign Funding

20
18
$9,049,428
Total Raised
$5,951,638
Total Spent
$3,165,750
Cash on Hand
Top Industries  (1 - 4 of 10) View All Industries
99%
Lawyers/Law Firms$1,233,944
73%
Securities & Investment$909,407
42%
Retired$522,894
40%
Real Estate$497,952
27%
Lobbyists$341,617
27%
Leadership PACs$336,500
21%
Health Professionals$265,893
20%
Telecom Services$252,054
19%
TV/Movies/Music$233,995
14%
Misc Finance$177,528
Direct campaign contributions grouped by the industry industry of each donor/PAC.

Largest Contributors

Funding generally from an organization's PAC or its members/employees. Organizations did not donate directly.
Financial Data Source: Center for Responsive Politics
Education7 - 7 of 5
Yale Law School
Juris Doctor
1973
Trinity College
University of Cambridge
1967 - 1968
Harvard College
Bachelor of Arts
1967
Riverdale Country School
Past Positions1 - 12 of 12
Member
Congressional Bicameral High-Speed & Intercity Passenger Rail Caucus
Current
Senator
United States Senate
2011 - Current
Attorney General
State of Connecticut
1990 - 2011
Senator
Connecticut State Senate
1987 - 1990
Representative
Connecticut State House of Representatives
1984 - 1987
United States Attorney
State of Connecticut
1977 - 1981
Administrative Assistant
United States Senator Abraham A. Ribicoff
1975 - 1976
Sergeant
United States Marine Corps Reserves
1970 - 1976
Law Clerk
Justice Harry A. Blackmun, United States Supreme Court
1974 - 1975
Former Law Clerk
Judge Jon O. Newman, U.S. District Court of Connecticut
1973 - 1974
White House Aide
1969 - 1970
Former Aide
United States Senator Daniel P. Moynihan
Other Experience1 - 38 of 38
Member
Volunteer Counsel, National Association for the Advancement of Colored Member (NAACP), People Legal Defense Fund
1981 - 1986
Former Editor-in-Chief
Yale Law Journal
Former Editorial Chair
The Harvard Crimson
Member
Bicameral Congressional Arthritis Caucus
Current
Member
Congressional General Aviation Caucus
Current
Member
Committee on Veterans' Affairs, United States Senate
Current
Member
Senate Oceans Caucus
Current
Member
Senate Law Enforcement Caucus
Current
Member
Congressional Coalition on Adoption
Current
Member
Senate Cultural Caucus
Current
Member
Committee on Armed Services, United States Senate
Current
Member
Committee on Aging, United States Senate
Current
Member
Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate
Current
Member
Congressional Fire Services Caucus
Current
Member
Congressional Veterans’ Jobs Caucus
Current
Member
Senate Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Caucus
Current
Member
Senate Caucus to End Human Trafficking
Current
Member
Defending Social Security Caucus
Current
Member
Senate National Guard Caucus
Current
Former Member
Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, Maritime, Freight, and Ports
Former Member
Subcommittee on Personnel, United States Senate
Former Member
Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security Subcommittee, United States Senate
Former Member
Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard Subcommittee, United States Senate
Former Member
Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety and Security Subcommittee, United States Senate
Former Member
Privacy, Technology and the Law Subcommittee, United States Senate
Former Member
Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation and the Internet, United States Senate
Former Member
Subcommittee on Security, United States Senate
Former Member
Subcommittee on Science, Oceans, Fisheries, and Weather, United States Senate
Former Member
Subcommittee on Transportation and Safety, United States Senate
Former Member
Subcommittee on Cybersecurity
Former Member
Subcommittee on Oceans, Fisheries, Climate Change and Manufacturing
Former Member
Subcommittee on Space and Science
Former Member
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, United States Senate
Former Member
Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Safety
Former Member
Subcommittee on Communications, Media, and Broadband
Former Ranking Member
Subcommittee on Manufacturing, Trade, and Consumer Protection, United States Senate
Former Ranking Member
Consumer Protection, Product Safety, Insurance, and Data Security Subcommittee, United States Senate
Former Ranking Member
Subcommittee on The Constitution, United States Senate