CT 17th Senate District Election: Cabrera-Logan Too Close To Call

NAUGATUCK, CT — Just like two years ago, the race between Democratic challenger Jorge Cabrera and incumbent Republican George Logan was too close to call on Election Night.

Logan won the 2018 race by around 80 votes after a recount. Logan held a slim lead on Tuesday night, according to MyCitizenNews. However, thousands of uncounted absentee ballots from Hamden were expected to fall heavily in his favor, the New Haven Independent reports.

The 17th District represents parts of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Derby, Hamden, Naugatuck and Woodbridge.

Cabrera's campaign released the following statement around 1 a.m.:

"We are encouraged by the results so far this evening, and while we await the rest of the absentee ballots in the 17th State Senate District, we feel confident that the current results will hold once all votes are counted over the next few days. Thank you to everyone who has supported us during this election."

Logan, who was first elected to the state Senate in 2016, was declared the winner of the 2018 race after a recount. He said the most important challenge facing Connecticut is “affordability.”

“We are pricing our citizens out of the state through ever-increasing taxes and raising the cost of doing business, which translates to higher prices for everyone,” Logan told Patch. “Our children are moving out of state for better paying jobs and our seniors are struggling to maintain their quality of life on fixed incomes. Those in the lower and middle class see few options to prosper in the state's current condition.

“The solution to our affordability has two parts: reign in the state's spending and attract good paying jobs back to the state. Employers need to see Connecticut as a well-run, fiscally responsible place to invest and grow their business. This means no more tax increases, no more unfunded mandates from Hartford and no more wasteful spending. If we can accomplish this, we will create vibrant economy with better paying jobs and thus more taxpayers, relieving the tax burden currently on those who are here.”

Stay on top of all the returns from across Connecticut and our five congressional districts by checking these stories throughout the night.

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• CT Presidential Election Results: Donald Trump Vs. Joe Biden
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Cabrera said the single most pressing issue facing Connecticut is making sure “everyone has access to high quality, affordable health care and lower prescription cost.”

“I plan on advocating for and supporting the CT Public Option Bill and making it easier to buy prescription drugs from Canada,” he told Patch.

Logan, an Ansonia resident, said the critical difference between him and Cabrera is the “role of government.”

“I believe in the free market system and smaller government and my opponent supports policies that lean toward socialism,” Logan said.

Cabrera, a Hamden resident, said the critical difference between him and Logan is that he reflects “the values of the people I represent and I have experience working with all parties to get things done.”

Logan, who has spent most of his professional life working through the ranks of the Aquarion water company, said his two terms as an “active, issue-oriented state senator” and the regular feedback he gets from his constituents show he’s “handling the job well.”

Cabrera, who worked in the Capitol as a legislative aide, said he was a leader in the “historic Stop and Shop strike that resulted in an agreement for both sides which averted further conflict and economic pain.”

“I know how to work with opposing sides to get things done,” Cabrera said.