Republican Sam Belsito cruised to victory in Tuesday’s special election to fill the seat of Rep. Bryan Hurlburt, D-Tolland, who had resigned to take a job with the USDA. Republican state chairman Jerry Labriola was thrilled, crowing that there is “no doubt that tonight’s commanding GOP victory is referendum on Dan Malloy’s mishandling of the Connecticut economy,” in an email message to supporters, adding that the election was “a harbinger of things to come.”

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Tags: special elections, 53rd district, Jerry Labriola Jr., Susan Bigelow, dh

(Updated 9:35 p.m.) House Minority Leader Lawrence Cafero drove across the state Tuesday to do some last-minute campaigning for a Tolland Republican running in the first election since the legislature adopted a new two-year budget and expanded the state’s gun regulations.

Continue reading "House Republicans Pick Up 53rd Seat In 53rd District" »

Tags: tolland, bryan hurlburt, 53rd district, Larry Cafero, horn, belsito, budget, gun control, Hugh McQuaid, dh

The State Senate was prepared to vote on an important bill, but it decided to wait — until Toni Harp could take care of mayoral campaign business back in New Haven.

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Tags: Toni Harp, Gary Holder-Winfield, campaign, New Haven, Senate, GMO, dh

Despite constitutional concerns, lawmakers advanced a bill Monday that establishes a pilot program for municipalities to test early voting in this year’s town elections.

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Tags: early voting, blumenthal, jepsen, merrill, new haven, lemar, municipal elections, constitutional amendment, Hugh McQuaid, dh

Voters in the 13 Connecticut communities will hold municipal elections for mayor, first selectman, board of finance, and other offices today.

Polls will open from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. for municipal elections in the following communities: The towns of Andover, Bethany, Union and Woodbridge, and the Boroughs of Litchfield, Newtown, Stonington, Bantam (Litchfield), Danielson (Killingly), Fenwick (Old Saybrook), Jewett City (Griswold), Woodmont (Milford) and the City of Groton.  The majority of Connecticut’s municipalities will hold primaries if necessary on Sept. 10, 2013, and a General Election for municipal candidates on November 5, 2013.

Former Republican Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele made his intention to run for mayor of Stamford official today when he filed the necessary paperwork with the town clerk.

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Tags: Michael Fedele, Stamford, mayor, dh