Updated: Local Democrats win Connecticut State Assembly races

Paul Honig, left, and Lisa Seminara, right, debate at Northwestern Regional School District No. 7 the evening of Sept. 24. In center, closest to Honig is Elise Gajewski, a senior at the school. Closer to Seminara is Maya Crociata, also a senior. In foreground sitting in front of the stage is Arian Gutic, rules and timing monitor. He is also a senior at the school.

8th District headed to recanvass

Update: Nov. 13

The 8th District state Senate race is headed for a recanvass following the Nov. 12 recount in Torrington of same-day, absentee and early voting ballots.

Following that action, Lisa Seminara, who currently holds the seat, is behind Democratic challenger Paul Honig by 266 votes, according to the candidates.

That percentage triggers a recanvass - or recounting of the votes - in the district and Seminara has withdrawn her previous concession.

"Connecticut law calls for an automatic recount across each of the 11 towns of the district. Given how close this result is, I welcome the state-required recanvass. The recount will provide every voter the certainty that the result is fair and accurate," Seminara wrote. "I am formally withdrawing the concession I previously made. My decision is based on this new information that has come to light. Given the irregularities already uncovered, this recount is an important step to reassure the public that the election was properly administered.”

Honig, on Nov. 13, said he does not expect results to change.

"I'm currently up by 266 after the recanvass in Torrington yesterday," Honig said. "The 0.5 percent mandatory recount threshold would be 288 votes, so we're within that and that mean's that there's a recount."

"I respect the recount process as a vital part of our democratic system. Every voice matters, and every vote deserves to be counted accurately," Honig added in a Facebook post. "I’m confident in the outcome and look forward to moving forward, but I support this process to ensure transparency and trust in our electoral system. Thank you to our hardworking election officials who will be putting in extra time to certify the results."

Specifically, in Torrington, "there were approximately 165 same day registration ballots that were not counted as part of the preliminary results computed after the election. Ultimately, this problem changed the preliminary net vote count by only 11 votes," Honig also stated in that Facebook post.

Updated Friday, Nov. 8 to reflect a potential recount in Torrington.

Staff Report

While Republicans claimed victory nationally in Tuesday’s election, Democrats notched some significant wins locally in the Farmington Valley, seemingly flipping two local seats, and holding on to others in the Farmington Valley, according to unofficial results released after the election.

8th District Senate Race

In a closely watched race in Connecticut’s 8th Senate District, Democrat Paul Honig beat incumbent Republican Lisa Seminara, according to unofficial results - with one potential wrinkle (see below). Honig had lost to Seminara in 2022 by just 124 votes and the seat has not been held by a Democrat for some 50 years.

This time, according to the Secretary of the State’s Unofficial results, Honig gained 24,031 votes or 51.99 percent of the vote, while Seminara had 22,188 votes for 48.01 percent. Torrington's numbers are still to be added to the mix.

“The ride continues! I just received a call from Senator Seminara who graciously conceded,” Honig wrote to supporters Wednesday afternoon. “She ran a spirited campaign and worked hard as State Senator.

“Thank you to the voters of the 8th district who chose me to represent them in the state senate. I am honored to be your representative and humbled by the faith that you’ve put in me. I can’t wait to get to work on your behalf to find solutions to the problems that are making things so difficult for many.This is the first time in more than 50 years that the 8th district will be represented by a Democrat. I’m very proud of this accomplishment, but this was a team effort and there are so many to thank.

"I met so many great people on my bicycle tour of the district. Thank you to the thousands who took the time to speak with me and tell me their stories. They told me about the challenges they faced on a daily basis and the values that were important to them. They taught me about issues that they had expertise in and shared interesting parts of their lives. They are the reason I ran for this office and I’ll carry their stories with me into the senate chamber.

"Thank you to all the volunteers across the 8th district: the door knockers, drivers, phone bankers, postcard writers, sign deliverers, copy editors, social media promoters and everyone who had an encouraging word to say. Thank you to everyone who donated to my campaign.Thank you to the amazing state reps from the 8th district who helped get me across the finish line: Eleni Kavros DeGraw, Tammy Exum, Maria Horn, Michelle Cook and Melissa Osborne. Thank you to my good friend Kim Becker who campaigned with me in the 62nd.Thanks to the amazing 8th district DTC chairs: Steve Ivain, Jack Casey, Tucker Salls, Lynn Guelzow, Edna Travis, Don Stein, Amanda Lukingbeal, June Peterson and Walter Godlewski. But, especially to Katie Kenney and Eliza Massaro who poured their heart and soul into this campaign.Thank you to Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney, Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, and the Senate Democratic caucus for the faith you put in me. Most of all, thanks to my partner in life, my wife Diane, who once again stepped up to support me in so many ways. No one worked harder than Diane in this winning effort. Thanks honey, I love you!I’m so excited to roll up my sleeves and get to work on your behalf.”

Seminara also released a statement on Wednesday afternoon.

“While the results of this election are not what we hoped for, my heart remains full of gratitude and humility,” she wrote. “I am immensely proud of the positive campaign we ran and the values we represented. We fought hard, fair, and remained laser-focused on the issues important to the people of the 8th District. 

“I want to thank all the volunteers, the RTCs, poll workers, town officials, and my fellow legislators. Your hard work and dedication to my race has truly been remarkable, and I have the utmost appreciation and gratitude for you. 

“I certainly cannot forget my campaign team. Collectively, your guidance, wisdom, and encouragement have been the backbone of our efforts. You believed in me when I needed it the most, and although we did not have the desired outcome, we ran an incredibly successful campaign. Lastly, I want to thank my family. I appreciate your unconditional love and unwavering support.

"To my opponent, I extend my congratulations. The voters have spoken, and I respect their decision. I wish you success as you take on the responsibilities of the office. It is my sincere hope you will govern with a commitment to the well-being of all our citizens. Our state faces many challenges, and we must come together to address them. Let us become united, hopeful, and determined to build a brighter future for Connecticut.”

Later in the week, there was one potential wrinkle, according to the Seminara, who added that she doesn't expect results to change.

“In the interest of transparency, as I have run my entire campaign, I want to share an update with 8th District constituents about the voting recount that will occur in Torrington, CT," she wrote in a release. "As many of you know, Torrington is a large part of the electorate in the 8th District. The city experienced processing issues on Election Day, which have led to a recount of early voting ballots, absentee ballots, and same day registration ballots. The recanvass will be held onTuesday, November 12, 2024, at 2 p.m.in the City Hall Auditorium (Room 218). The public is welcome to view this transparent process that guarantees a proper accounting of the ballots cast by Torrington voters.

"While I do not anticipate this will change the election results, constituents deserve transparency and accurate information, as there have been several misleading reports of the total number of votes cast. With the information provided to my campaign, thus far, my opponent is leading by less than 1%. Thank you again to everyone who has supported me throughout my term and this campaign. I will share an update once we know more.”

 The Valley Press has a message out to Honig to get his take on the matter. A Friday release from Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas noted that "With a potential recount in Torrington, results are not finalized."

The 8th District contains most of the Farmington Valley (Avon, Canton, Simsbury), as well as Norfolk, Hartland, New Hartford, Colebrook and parts of Granby, Harwinton and Torrington

22nd State House District

Democrats flipped at least one other seat that includes a portion of the Farmington Valley.

For the 22nd House District, which covers Plainville and portions of Southington and Farmington, Democrat Rebecca Martinez won the seat in a rematch again Francis Cooley. He had won by just 53 votes in 2022.

This time around, Martinez had 6,551 votes or 51.75 percent to Cooley’s 6,108 or 48.25 percent, according to the unofficial results posted.

“We did it!!! Thank you Plainville, Southington and Farmington for putting your trust in me,” Martinez wrote on her campaign Facebook page. “I cannot wait to get to work representing our communities in Hartford!”

On his campaign Facebook, Cooley posted the following two messages, first writing,

“Off to the next adventure in life. It's been real.” And later adding, “Thanks to all who worked in the campaign. Sorry it didn't turn out as many had hoped.”

19th District State House Seat

In the 19th State House District, which covers portions of Avon and West Hartford, Democrat Tammy Exum ran unopposed and got 11,388 votes.

Other local Democrats stave off challengers

Several Democratic Incumbents also won races, including:

• In the 16th State House District, which covers Simsbury, Democrat Melissa Osborne beat her challenger with 9,721, or 61.95 percent, of the votes, according to the unofficial tally. Republican Michael Shulitz had 5,997 votes or 38.15 percent.

• In the 17th State House District, which covers Canton and a portion of Avon, Democrat Eleni Kavros-DeGraw garnered 9,128 votes for 62.87 percent, according to the unofficial results while Republican challenger Manju Gerber gained 5,391 votes, or 37.13 percent.

• In the 21st State House District, which covers Farmington, Democratic incumbent Mike Demicco had 8,897 votes to Republican Challenger Johnny Carrier’s 4,834.

• In the 5th District State Senate Race, which covers portions of West Hartford, Burlington, Farmington and Bloomfield, Democrat Derek Slap won 68.12 percent of the vote, with 36,374 votes and Kyla Zimmerman had 17,020 votes for 31.88 percent.

• And in the state’s 6th Senate District, which includes New Britain, Berlin and parts of Farmington, Democrat Rick Lopes gained 20,167 votes or 58.45 percent, according to the unofficial tally, while Republican Tremell Collins had 41.56 percent of the vote, or 14,340 votes.