This year has already proven to be the most unpredictable in Connecticut politics in the past four decades with a never-ending pattern of twists and turns.
There has not been a time at least since 1970 when so many positions were open and so many incumbents were retiring from high-profile positions.
That roller coaster ride will continue today with the state party conventions, which will both be held in Hartford - turning the capital city into ground zero for state politics.
The seats that are up for grabs this year are U.S. Senator, governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of the state, and comptroller. Those who are not running for re-election this year include U.S. Sen. Christopher J. Dodd, Gov. M. Jodi Rell, Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz, and Comptroller Nancy Wyman.
Fedele is running for governor, while Blumenthal is running for U.S. Senate. Wyman is running for lieutenant governor on a ticket with former Stamford Mayor Dannel Malloy. They are facing the team of Greenwich cable TV entrepreneur Ned Lamont and Simsbury First Selectman Mary Glassman in the nominations for governor and lieutenant governor.
All the changes have set off a major scramble as virtually anyone with political ambitions has been maneuvering and trying to get into a seat that rarely comes open.