Farnen Wins State Rep Seat By 79 Votes: Preliminary Results

FAIRFIELD, CT — Brian Farnen has been elected the new state representative for District 132 by a margin of less than 100 votes, according to preliminary results from the town of Fairfield.

Farnen, a Republican, received 2,463 votes compared to Democrat Jennifer Leeper's 2,384, according to the Office of the Registrars of Voters. Tuesday's special election was held because former state representative Brenda Kupchick, also a Republican, resigned in November after she was elected first selectwoman of Fairfield.

In his victory speech, Farnen called for bipartisanship in the majority-Democrat General Assembly, and prioritized bringing more jobs to Connecticut and addressing the state's financial obligations.

"This race is about turning around our great state," said Farnen, a Representative Town Meeting member for District 9 and attorney for the Connecticut Green Bank. "... One-party rule is not healthy."

Kupchick, who endorsed Farnen, said she was proud to have someone who shares her values take over the legislative seat, while state Rep. Laura Devlin, a Republican representing neighboring District 134, said Farnen will help bring needed balance to the General Assembly.

In his remarks, Farnen praised his opponent.

"She made me a better candidate," Farnen said of Leeper during his speech at Tuesday's Republican results party, held at J.B. Percival Co.

Leeper, a Board of Education member and founding partner of 475 Consulting, received more votes than Farnen in three of the four RTM districts included in state representative District 132. Although she won RTM Districts 3, 8 and 9, the margin by which she lost in Southport-based RTM District 10 cost her the victory, according to preliminary results. Turnout Tuesday averaged was about 29 percent, significantly higher than the 25 percent that Registrar of Voters Steve Elworthy predicted earlier in the day.

"It was a great experience and I got to talk and listen to so many members of our district," Leeper said, adding she wishes Farnen the best of luck.

District 132 will be up for election in November 2020. When asked if she plans to run again, Leeper said a second campaign is "under consideration."

"2020 will be a good year for Democrats," she said.