Special election in Connecticut yields gains for both political parties

By Cassandra Gamboa
EBC New York Bureau

CONNECTICUT (Eagle News) — Just months after Democrats gained control of both legislative chambers and Connecticut govern ship, special elections took place in five districts to replace legislators pulled into the executive branch as part of Governor Ned Lamont’s (D-CT) transition team.

Three state Senate seats and two House of Representative seats were in need of new representation after lawmakers resigned to work in the newly elected governor’s administration.

The 3rd Senate District, formally held by Senator Tim Larson (D), consists of East Hartford, East Windsor, South Windsor, and a portion of Ellington. Sen. Larson resigned from his seat to work as the Commissioner for Higher Education. South Windsor Mayor Saud Anwar (D) defeated East Windsor’s Sarah Muska (R) in a race to fill the vacancy.

The 5th Senate District, formally held by Senator Beth Bye (D), consists of Burlington, West Hartford and a portion of Bloomfield and Farmington. Sen. Bye is set to lead the Office of Early Childhood. Her seat was contended by current State Representative Derek Slap (D) of the 19th House district (serving West Hartford, Avon, and Farmington), former Republican State Representative Bill Wadsworth, Independent candidate Jeff Przech and Mark Steward Greinstein of the Amigo Constitution Liberty Party. An election will be held to fill the vacancy of new Senate-elect, Derek Slap.

The 6th Senate District, formally held by Senator Theresa Gerratana (D), consists of Berlin and New Britain and a portion of Farmington. Sen. Gerratana vacated her seat to become a Senior Adviser to the Governor. Republican candidate Gennaro Bizzarro defeated state Representative Rick Lopes (D), to increase the Republican Senate seats to 14 while losing the Democratic-held super-majority.

The 39th district of House of Representatives, formally held by State Representative Chris Soto (D), consists of a portion of New London. Rep. Soto transitioned as Governor Lamont’s director of legislative affairs. New London City Councilman Anthony Nolan (D) defeated Republican Kat Goulmart, unaffiliated candidate Jason Catala and Green Party candidate Mirna Martinez in Tuesday’s special election.

The 99th district of House of Representatives, formally held by State Representative James Albis (D), consists of a portion of East Haven. Rep. Albis vacated his seat to work as a senior adviser at the Department of Environmental Protection. His district was won by Republican Joseph Zullo.

(Eagle News Service)