John N. Dempsey Democratic Thomas Meskill Republican The 1970 Connecticut gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1970 in the U.S. state of Connecticut.

Incumbent Democratic Governor John N. Dempsey decided not to run for re-election.

Between 1956 and 1990 in Connecticut, party conventions nominated candidates subject to a system of "challenge" primaries that allowed defeated candidates to petition for a popular vote if they received at least 20 percent of the convention vote.

[3] The Republican state convention was held on June 20, 1970 at Hartford.

[4] The Republican primary election was held on August 12, 1970.