Hamden Primary Election 2016: Newcomer Josh Elliott Defeats Endorsed Candidate (UPDATED)

HAMDEN, CT — Challenger Josh Elliott has defeated Legislative Council President James Pascarella, the Democratic Party’s endorsed candidate, in Tuesday’s primary election for the 88th District race to run for House Speaker Brendan Sharkey’s seat in November.

Elliott received 1,053 votes while Pascarella had 812, according to unofficial results from the secretary of state’s website.

Elliott, a local lawyer and small business owner, recently received endorsements from the Connecticut Working Families Party, Planned Parenthood Votes! CT PAC, Civil Service Employees Association, Connecticut Employees Union Independent, and Service Employees International Union 1199 and 32BJ.

In addition to the party’s nod, Pascarella also had received endorsements from Mayor Curt Balzano Leng, Sharkey, State Rep. Michael D’Agostino, D-91, and both the Connecticut Education Association (CEA) and the Hamden Education Association (HEA).

Elliott, who had campaigned for Bernie Sanders in Connecticut, tapped into the progressive movement and assembled a large contingent of people, including both paid and volunteers, to canvass the four town districts that comprise the state’s 88th District, according to the New Haven Register.

Kate Ramunni of the Register reports Pascarella congratulated Elliott, saying “talk about throwing the kitchen sink into an effort, I think he threw the whole house into it,” adding that he ran a good campaign that wasn’t “negative, it was issue-oriented.”

Elliott will face the Republican Marjorie Bonadies in the November election.

On Wednesday, members of 32BJ SEIU, the nation's largest property services union, congratulated Elliott for his win.

“We are thrilled for Josh Elliott, whom we endorsed for his progressive commitment to working people and his enthusiasm to make real change in his home in Hamden and across Connecticut,” District Leader Juan Hernandez said in a statement. “With his strong backing of paid family medical leave and the $15 minimum wage, among other positions, Josh Elliott won our members’ vote yesterday, and our support as he advances to the general election in November.”

Read more reaction from Tuesday night at the New Haven Register here.

Original post

HAMDEN, CT — Polls are open until 8 p.m. for Hamden Democrats to cast their ballots in the primary election for state representative in the 88th District.

Legislative Council President Jim Pascarella, the party’s endorsed candidate, is facing a challenge from local lawyer and small business owner Josh Elliott to become the candidate in the race to replace House Speaker Brendan Sharkey, who is retiring.

Only registered Democrats residing in Voting Districts 1, 4, 9, 10, and 10-01 are allowed to vote.

The polling locations are as follows:

District 1: Miller Library 2901 Dixwell Ave (Miller Library situated in District 4)

District 4: Spring Glen School 1908 Whitney Ave.

District 9: West Woods School 350 West Todd St

District 10 & 10.01: Hamden Middle School 2623 Dixwell Avenue

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