East Hampton/Portland Election Results 2018: Local Winners

EAST HAMPTON/PORTLAND, CT — Voters have cast their votes in Connecticut's statewide election and winners are being revealed. 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.

Locally, in East Hampton and Portland the race for the 33rd Senatorial District was between candidates Norman Needleman, a Democrat, and Melissa Ziobron, a Republican. The New London Day reported the race, which will be "instrumental" in determining which party controls the Senate, was too close to call Tuesday night. According to the Norwich Bulletin, Needleman held a narrow lead, however a recount is likely as Ziobron's team has not conceded the race.

According to his website, "Essex First Selectman and successful businessman Norm Needleman is running as the Democratic candidate for the 33rd State Senate District, promising to use his business and small town leadership experience to bring people together to get Connecticut back on track...If elected State Senator for the 33rd District, Norm will make a clean break from the decades of bickering and harmful policies that have come from Hartford and get Connecticut working for the towns in our district."

Ziobron said on her website "As your full-time State Senator, I will work tirelessly on your behalf to represent our small town values. I will continue my efforts as a champion for our environment and as an outspoken advocate for taxpayers and fiscal restraint. I love the Connecticut River Valley and shoreline. Put me back to work for you!"

East Hampton residents also voted in the 34th House District race, in which the choices were Democratic candidate Theresa Govert and Republican candidate Irene Haines. Govert announced she had lost on her campaign Facebook page Tuesday night.

"While we may not have gotten the result we wanted tonight, we achieved something far greater," Govert said on Facebook. "To everyone who supported me and to everyone who donated and/or volunteered time, thank you for believing in me, but moreover, thank you for your hope in a future for everyone."

On her website, Govert said "I am passionate about making Connecticut a place where young people have opportunities, working families are supported, and our retirees can live with security and dignity. As the State Representative for East Hampton, East Haddam and Colchester, I will fight to help our community and small businesses thrive and grow."

Haines said on hr website "I have been active in the 34th District for more than 20 years. Through my involvement with the school systems I have seen the frustrations created by decreased funding and unfunded mandates. As a former business owner and past president of the East Haddam Business Association, I am very aware of the challenges our business community faces."

Meanwhile, Portland residents voted in the 32nd House District race, in which Republican incumbent Christie M. Carpino declared victory over Democratic candidate Laurel Steinhauser, the Middletown Press reported Tuesday night.

Carpino was re-elected to her 4th term in November 2016. She serves as the House Chair of the Regulation Review Committee, and as a member of the Judiciary and Public Health Committees. In her time outside of the Capitol, Christie enjoys volunteering within the community, working with Special Olympics and spending time with her family and friends, according to her website.

On hew website Steinhauser said "I'm running because I care about our community. Our friends and neighbors are struggling to pay bills, afford health care and care for aging parents. I will speak for all of us to build a better future for Cromwell and Portland."

For the Judge of Probate race, Jennifer Berkenstock, a Republican, ran unopposed.

In East Hampton, the Registrar of Voters race is between Charlene Marquis O'Brien, Democratic Party, Lori A. Wilcox, Republican Party, and Brian N. Gay, Green Party.

The Registrar of Voters race in Portland is between Athena Marie Neville, a Democrat, and Pauline J. Neumann, a Republican.

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 1st District are: John B. Larson, Democratic Party, Jennifer T. Nye, Republican Party, and Thomas McCormick, Green Party.

The choices in the 2nd District are: Joe Courtney, Democratic Party, Danny Postemski, Jr., Republican Party, Daniel Reale, Libertarian Party, and Michelle Louise Bicking, Green 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.

For more election information visit the East Hampton Registrar of Voters website here and the Portland Registrar of Voters website here.

To sign up for East Hampton and Portland breaking news alerts and more, click here.

Photo credit: Patch graphic