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Special Election Maintains Party Split in State Senate

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Three special elections held throughout Connecticut on Tuesday maintained an even split between Democrats and Republicans in the state Senate, while Democrats held onto a seven-seat lead in the state House of Representatives.

Newly elected state Senators Douglas McCrory (left) and Eric Berthel (right)

Newly elected state Senators Douglas McCrory (left) and Eric Berthel (right)

Photo Credit: Contributed

Going into the November 2016 election, Democrats held an advantage in the state Senate of 21-15 seats. But Republicans managed to flip three seats in that election, leading to an 18-18 split. Earlier this year, two state senators vacated their seats to take other positions, leaving the senate split at 17-17. Sen. Eric Coleman (D-2) left to take a judicial appointment, while Sen. Robert Kane (R-32) left to become a state auditor.

In Tuesday’s special election, voters in District 2 – which represents part of Bloomfield, part of Hartford and part of Windsor – were asked to choose between Democrat Douglas McCrory and Republican Michael McDonald. In District 32 – which represents Bethlehem, Bridgewater, part of Middlebury, Oxford, Roxbury, part of Seymour, Southbury, Washington, Watertown and Woodbury – voters were asked to choose between Democrat Greg Cava and Republican Eric Berthel.

McCrory defeated McDonald to keep District 2 in the Democrats' column, while Berthel defeated Cava to keep District 32 Republican, according to the Connecticut Mirror.

In the state House of Representatives, Democrats had a 86-64 majority going into November's election. Republicans managed to chip away at that lead in November, leaving Democrats with a 79-72 lead.

A special election was held Tuesday for the seat of District 115, which was vacant after Democratic Rep. Stephen Dargan stepped down to take a job with the Connecticut Board of Paroles and Pardons. Voters in the district – which represents parts of West Haven – were asked to choose between Democrat Dorinda Keenan Borer and Republican Edward R. Granfield. 

Borer defeated Granfield in the race, according to the Connecticut Mirror. The Connecticut Mirror report is based on unofficial results, with officials results expected to be released by the Connecticut Secretary of State this week.

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