Moira Rader Clinches Democrat Primary 98th District State Rep Race

BRANFORD, CT — Moria Rader clinched the Democrat primary election for the 98th district, which covers part of Branford to include Pine Orchard, the 7th district, and Stony Creek, the 2nd district. and most of Guilford.

In Branford, Rader got 265 votes to progressive Democrat opponent Andy Gottlieb's 118 ballots, per the Secretary of State.

In Guilford, Rader got 1,062 votes and Gottlieb received 439 votes.

The current 98th District State Representative is Democrat Sean Scanlon, who is not running for reelection. He's the Democratic nominee for State Comptroller.

Rader announced her victory in front of supporters Tuesday night in Guilford, saying she was "overwhelmed by and immensely grateful for the extraordinary support the communities of Guilford and Branford have shown me."

"It has been an exhilarating several months of door knocking, phone calls, meet and greets, community events and all that goes into a thriving, hard-working campaign. I have loved the opportunity to reach as many voters as possible with my message of commitment to public service and my focus on the issues that mean the most to our district’s families,"Rader said. This collective hard work and outreach to the community has resulted in our primary win tonight."

Rader is currently the Guilford Board of Education vice chairperson. She was first elected to the Board of Education in 2016. Before that she served on the A. W Cox Elementary Advisory Board, volunteered as a K-3 religious education teacher at St. George and volunteered with shoreline non-profits that support families.

She said she looks forward to a "robust campaign" for the Nov. 8 General Election.
She said she'll "on November 8, during which I will continue to connect with Guilford and Branford voters about our shared vision for Connecticut."

Those are, she said, "Affordable and accessible health care for all; protecting and expanding women’s reproductive rights; reinforcing mental health care supports; ensuring thriving, equitable public schools; strengthening gun safety laws; creating meaningful climate change action; and improving voter access and equity."