Now, Simsbury's 16th House Fight Really Begins

SIMSBURY, CT — Going into Tuesday's Democratic primary for the 16th House District in Simsbury, Simsbury Selectman Eric Wellman pointed to opponent Melissa Osborne's "electability."

In the leadup , Wellman noted Osborne had already lost three times in prior state Senate races to a Republican and he defeated the 2022 Republican challenger for the 16th seat, Mike Paine, in the first selectman race in 2017.

But, by a narrow margin, Simsbury Democrats chose the 54-year-old attorney over the 39-year-old corporate efficiency expert, 1,088-1,053.

It was a rare primary where a party-endorsed hopeful, Wellman, lost to a primary challenger and he was the only endorsed Democrat in Connecticut to do so.

And now, Osborne and Paine are ready to battle politically through the November elections.

Both Osborne and Wellman said they expected a close race. And that's what they got.

Osborne said her past experience campaigning, advocating and litigating helped her in her bid.

"Coming in as the primary challenger, I knew from the start that I had an uphill battle," Osborne said, reflecting on her first election victory of any kind.

"But experience is the best teacher and I didn’t waver from the plan that I built from that experience. I knew going into primary day that it would be incredibly close and of course I’m grateful for the results."

Osborne said key to this race were the endorsements that went her way within the party, endorsements that ran counter to Simsbury Democrats' pick for the seat.

Among those supporting Osborne was incumbent state Rep. John Hampton, D-Simsbury, who is not seeking another term, a move creating a wide-open race to succeed him.

"I think it’s obvious that the endorsements of so many really well-known, respected and loved Simsbury Democrats who helped make Simsbury into such a special town, were invaluable, and John Hampton chief among them," Osborne said.

She also garnered the support of former Simsbury First Selectman Mary Glassman, who has also run for state and national offices, albeit unsuccessfully.

"I cannot tell you how many doors I knocked on where people were happy to quickly give me their support once they heard that John Hampton or Mary Glassman were endorsing me," Osborne said.

Following the, at times, contentious campaign against a fellow Democrat, Osborne said she hopes she will be able to work with Wellman going into November.

"Eric has given years of service to Simsbury and to the Democratic Party," Osborne said. "He cares deeply about both. I’m confident that after the dust settles, Eric and I will be able to come together as Democrats and unite behind the common goals and values that we share."

For his part, Wellman said after the primary he wasn't sure he'd work on her campaign, but he did wish her well.

Paine, 68, meanwhile, said Thursday he wants to avoid a campaign of negativity and personal attacks in Simsbury, the lone town in the 16th House.

"I'm planning to make it based on facts and issues and a healthy dialogue," said Paine, who owns family-run Paine Rubbish & Recycling out of East Granby.

As an outsider of the Democratic primary, he said he initially wondered who would be the candidate he wanted to face in November, especially since he narrowly lost to Wellman in 2017.

Ultimately, however, Paine, a former Simsbury selectman, said he's running on his record and his business experience.

"I thought about it going in and I really stepped back and said, 'Hey, it's not up to me,'" Paine said. "I'm expecting to talk about issues and how those issues impact the town."

Paine said he also sympathized with Wellman, who defeated him by only 34 votes for Simsbury's top town role in 2017. Wellman lost to Osborne by 35 votes Tuesday.

"I, absolutely, am sympathetic to losing by not a lot of votes," Paine said. "I have some experience there."

For Republican Mike Paine's Facebook page, click on this link.

For Democrat Melissa Osborne's Facebook page, click on this link.