Updated: Nicholas Kepple Elected As Regional Probate Judge

Stonington, Groton, North Stonington and Ledyard residents elected Democrat Nicholas Kepple as Southeastern Connecticut Regional Probate Court Judge Tuesday evening.

received 2930 votes while Republican received 2416.

“I couldn’t be more excited to have this opportunity to serve these four towns,” Kepple said. He thanked the communities and the residents for their support as well as his opponent.

“Thanks to Eric for running such a classy, civic, campaign,” Kepple said. “It was an honor to be on the ballot with him.”

On Monday Kepple will go to Hartford to start the training process. He expects to be sworn in within the next few days.

“Not the way I wanted it to be, but that’s OK,” Janney said, adding he was very appreciative to all the people who came out to support him and worked for him. “I’m pleased to serve by a great man in Nick Kepple.”

In Stonington voter turnout was mixed. At District One at the Stonington Fire House 28 percent of the eligible voters voted, but in District Five at the School  Administration Building only 12 percent did. Overall voter turnout was 18 percent.

By 3 p.m. in Ledyard more residents had already cast votes than during the primaries. 

"It's better than the primary," said Pat Weiner, who was working at the polls. 

During the campaign Kepple said one of the probate system was trying to maintain the same level of accessibility and community feel. He said he hoped to offset that through a variety of measures including spending a significant amount of time in all four towns, setting up a website for the regionalized court and holding forums on different probate issues.

“One of the most important things is to listen,” Kepple Tuesday evening. He plans on listening to the staff of the probate court and setting up meetings with community members in all four towns.

The court, located in Groton, serves the towns of Stonington, Groton, North Stonington and Ledyard, and handles matters including adoptions, wills, estates and guardianship.

Results by town: