Durham/Middlefield Election Results 2018: Update On Kokoruda Race

UPDATE: By the slimmest of margins it appears that State Rep. Noreen Kokoruda, a Republican, is leading her very tough race against John-Michael Parker, a Democratic challenger.

According to the Secretary of State's website, Parker received 6,221 votes and Kokoruda received 6,246 votes. It's expected there will be a recount. Parker won Madison but Kokoruda prevailed in Durham.

DURHAM/MIDDLEFIELD, CT — Christine Cohen, a Democrat, has won the open senate seat against Adam Greenberg, a Republican, in the 12th senatorial district, according to media reports.

The New Haven Register reports that the race between State Rep. Noreen Kokoruda and John-Michael Parker is too close to call. The Madison Source reports that Parker secured more votes than Kokoruda in Madison but the district also includes Durham too and it's not possible to say who won yet.

GOP State Rep. Vincent Candelora also won reelection defeating his challenger, Vincent Mase Sr., according to the New Haven Register. The unofficial vote total was 6,515 for Candelora and Mase with 3,762. Colin Souney ran as a Green Party candidate.

State Rep. Len Fasano, a Republican, also won re-election Tuesday, the New Haven Register reports.

DURHAM/MIDDLEFIELD, CT — Voters have begun to head to the polls this morning to vote in Connecticut's statewide election. Governor, Lt. governor, state treasurer, state comptroller, attorney general and secretary of the state are all up for grabs. Several local state senate, state house of representative and judge of probate races will also be decided.

Voters also can cast ballots for the U.S. Senate election and congressional races. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. today. Voters who are in line before 8 p.m. will be able to vote even after the deadline passes. You can find your poll location at the Secretary of the State website by inputting your information.

Locally, in Durham and Middlefield the choices for the 12th Senatorial District are: Christine Cohen, Democratic challenger, versus Adam Greenberg, Republican challenger. This is an open seat as incumbent Sen. Ted Kennedy Jr. is not seeking reelection.

Cohen said on her website that “As a small business owner, I am running to improve Connecticut's economy and fight for our values in Hartford. Wanting to serve my community, I have held seats on several boards, including the PTO, before being elected to the Guilford Board of Education where I currently serve.

(Follow along with Patch’s live coverage of the Governor’s race and all the other top state and federal races tonight. Sign up for our free breaking news alert here.)

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”I want to see common sense solutions that go beyond party lines. We need more collaboration in Hartford. Before starting Cohen's Bagel Company, I worked for Stanley Black & Decker for many years. I understand the needs of Connecticut businesses, big and small, and am committed to ensuring their growth and expansion,” Cohen said.

According to Greenberg’s website it says “Former major league baseball player Adam Greenberg is stepping up to the plate for Connecticut. Adam’s unique background as a CEO, best-selling author, and professional athlete who overcame incredible odds has prepared him to take on the challenges facing the 12th District. Join Adam and help usher in new leadership for Connecticut.” He is vehemently opposed to tolls and says the state needs to foster a pro-business environment.

Some residents will also vote in the 34th Senatorial District and the candidates are: Aili McKeen, Democratic challenger, versus Len Fasano, Republican incumbent.

McKeen was born and raised in Wallingford and graduated from Lyman Hall High School, and attended classes at SCSU before starting a family. Aili has been an adult volunteer with Girl Scouts since 1994. Starting out as a "camping mom," she progressed through troop leader, Service Unit Manager, and Adult Trainer. Now she concentrates on archery, survival skills, and outdoor cooking programs with girls, according to her website.

Fasano has been a state lawmaker since 2003. He became Senate Republican President Pro Tempore in January 2017. Fasano had previously served as Senate Minority Leader after being elected to the position by his colleagues in 2014. As leader of the Senate Republican Caucus,

Fasano is committed to making state government more cost-effective and efficient, according to his website.

Durham residents will also vote on this state representative race: 101st House District: John-Michael Parker, Democratic challenger, versus Noreen Kokoruda, GOP incumbent.

Parker, a Madison resident, says on his website that “I’m running because I love this community, and because I want to dedicate myself to ensuring it thrives by doing what I know best: listening to, learning from, and fighting for others. I believe there is so much potential for our government to truly serve the people, creating the conditions for all of us to live healthy, happy, full lives. But to do that, our elected officials have to bring new ideas and new energy to the complex challenges we’re facing today. They have to look to the example set by small but strong communities like ours, with hard-working citizens who are finding ways to help their families and their neighbors succeed.”

Kokoruda was reelected to her fourth term in November 2016. Noreen serves on the General Assembly’s Committees on Children, Appropriations and Education. As a member of the legislature’s committee on Legislative Management, Kokoruda serves as House Republican Caucus Chair. Kokoruda has lived in Madison for over 30 years and has spent the “entire time dedicated to public service, and loves getting things done that positively impact her community,” according to her website.

As Executive Director of the Shoreline Foundation, she worked for many years to provide safe and fun summer camps for local kids. She previously served as Chairman of Madison’s Beach and Recreation Commission for almost 10 years

Durham residents will also vote on this state representative race: 86th House District: Vince Mase Sr., Democratic challenger, versus Vincent Candelora, GOP incumbent and Colin Souney, a Green Party candidate.

Mase, a Northford resident, is an attorney who retired as a mail carrier in 2005, according to The Sound.

Candelora was elected to his sixth two-year term in November 2016. As a member of the legislature’s committee on Legislative Management, Candelora has held Deputy Republican Leader title since 2011. He also serves on the legislature’s committees on Finance, Revenue and Bonding, Judiciary, Public Health, General Law and Regulations Review. Candelora also serves as the Chair of the screening committee that is tasked with reviewing all legislation before it is put up for a vote in the House.

He is an active member in the community where he serves on the Executive Board of the North Branford Little League, according to his website.

Souney, according to his social media page, is a long time Guilford resident and 1993 Guilford High School graduate who has worked in the area over two decades in a variety of vocations including Construction, Welding and Machining

In Middlefield residents will vote in the 82nd House District: Emil "Buddy" Altobello, Democrat, versus Ernestine Holloway, a Republican. (To sign up for free Durham and Middlefield breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

Altobello was born and raised in Meriden. He was first elected for a 4 year term to the Meriden City Council in 1987; re-elected in 1991. Elected City Council Majority Leader by the Democratic Caucus in 1991, re-elected in 1993. While on the City Council; also served on the Meriden Board of Ethics, the Downtown Advisory Committee, the Local Emergency Planning Committee, and the Farmer's Market Committee.

First Elected to the Connecticut House of Representatives in November 1994, continued to serve on the City Council as Majority Leader and Finance Chairman until March 1995, according to his website.

On her campaign Facebook page, Holloway says, “My goal is to become a state rep so that every child can receive a great education. I would also like to make sure that the senior citizens are taken care of in my state. My aspiration is to become governor. I would also like for the world to be better because of the work I have done for my God, my Community, and my Country.”

For the Judge of Probate race the lone choice is Joseph D Marino, a Democrat.

All eyes are on the Governor’s race where the choices are: Ned Lamont, Democrat, Bob Stefanowski, Republican, Rodney Hanscomb, Libertarian, Mark Stewart Greenstein, Amigo Constitution Liberty Party, and Oz Griebel, Griebel Frank for CT Party.

The candidates for lieutenant governor are: Susan Bysiewicz, Democrat, Joe Markley, Republican, Jeffrey Thibeault, Libertarian Party, John Demitrus, Amigo Constitution Liberty Party, and Monte E Frank, Griebel Frank for CT Party.

The choices for the U.S. Senate race are: Matthew Corey, Republican Party, Christopher S. Murphy, Democratic Party, Richard Lion, Libertarian Party, and Jeff Russell, Green Party

For the U.S. House of Representatives race the choices in the 3rd District are: Rosa L DeLauro, Democratic Party, and Angel Cadena, Republican Party.

In the Secretary of State race the choices are: Denise W Merrill, Democratic Party, Susan Chapman, Republican Party, Heather Lynn Sylvestre Gwynn, Libertarian Party, and Michael DeRosa, Green Party.

In the race for State Treasurer the choices are: Shawn Wooden, Democratic Party, Thad Gray, Republican Party, and Jesse Brohinsky, Libertarian Party.

For the position of State Comptroller the choices are: Kurt Miller, Republican Party, Kevin Lembo, Democratic Party, Paul Passarelli, Libertarian Party, and Edward G Heflin, Green Party.

For the position of Attorney General the choices are: William Tong, Democratic Party, Sue Hatfield, Republican Party, Peter D. Goselin, Green Party.

Connecticut offers Election Day registration, but those who arrive need to be registered by 8 p.m. in order to vote. Unlike previously registered voters standing in line before 8 p.m. to register won’t guarantee the ability to vote.

Absentee ballots are also available for those who won’t be in town all of election day or for a multitude of other reasons.

For more election information visit the Durham Registrar's Office by clicking here.

For more election information visit the Middlefield Registrar's Office by clicking here.