Republicans Take the 119th and 117th Districts Serving Milford, Orange and West Haven

Republicans Pam Staneski and Charles Ferraro gained control of the 119th and 117th assembly districts after a very close race on Nov. 4.

Both candidates ousted the incumbent Democrats from the two districts.

According to the New Haven Register, both Staneski and Ferraro said they expected a close race.

In the 117th state house district, Ferraro defeated Democrat Paul Davis 4,281 to 3,438, according to the Hartford Courant. In the 119th state house district, Staneski defeated Democrat James Maroney 4,423 to 4,272.

Ferraro told the Register he believed that in the 117th the difference was that he started earlier than Davis and made the effort to talk to every single person in the district. The 117th district serves parts of West Haven, Orange and Milford.

Ferraro is a graduate of Southern Connecticut University and is the owner of West Haven Academy of Karate. He describes himself as a lifelong resident of West Haven.

Staneski, who ran for the 119th twice before losing to Richard Roy and to Maroney in 2012 said she expected a close race, according to the Milford Mirror. Similar to Ferraro, Staneski told the Mirror she got out more and knocked on over 5,000 doors. Staneski describes herself as a proven leader in Milford and Orange and an advocate for education and youth.

Davis told the Register his loss was part of a statewide trend of Republicans gaining ground over Democrats while Maroney said he felt people were looking for a change adding that it had been his honor to serve the 119th representing Milford and Orange.

Staneski thanked her volunteers and all those who supported her on her Facebook page saying she looked forward to working with all the people in the 119th district.

Image via Flickr

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