[3] He ran for re-election in 1986, but was defeated – consistent with the national trend of the 1986 midterm elections where Democrats made gains throughout the country.

Markley returned to the State Senate after defeating Democrat John Barry in 2010 and was narrowly re-elected in 2012 before posting substantial victory margins in 2014 and 2016.

They must be convinced that we are worthy of their support, both because we stand for a genuine change in direction and because we can win (the two, of course, are inseparable),"[8] On June 23, 2015, Markley faced off against two competitors in the first contested chairmanship election since the 1980s.

[9] Markley filed paperwork to seek the position of Lieutenant Governor in the 2018 Gubernatorial elections stating "I feel that this is the spot on the ticket where I can most be of service.

He ran with Bob Stefanowski, who won the Connecticut Republican primary for Governor, before losing to Ned Lamont and running mate Susan Bysiewicz.