Feehan, Young Set For Stratford State Rep Rematch In November

STRATFORD, CT — Former Town Council chairman Jim Feehan and state Rep. Phil Young are set for a rematch in the race to represent the 120th legislative district after bungled ballots in the 2018 election led to a months-long dispute over the outcome.

Feehan, a Republican, announced his candidacy Tuesday in a news release discussing his concerns for the state and criticizing the Democrats at the capitol.

"We need common sense in Hartford. The current occupant of the 120th House seat has failed to meet that need and is invisible in the face of these challenges, making the need for someone to step up critical to our future," Feehan said in the news release.

Feehan denounced the majority party's approach to taxes and tolls, and expressed worry about job loss and declining property values in the state. He also noted he has the support of former 120th district representative and current Stratford Mayor Laura Hoydick.

When reached by phone Tuesday, Democrat Young confirmed he has filed to seek reelection and begun fundraising.

"I look forward to a spirited campaign," he said.

In response to Feehan's criticism, Young cited his positions as an assistant majority leader and vice chair of the public health committee, as well as the General Assembly's work to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour and to improve paid family leave.

"If he says that I'm not present up there and doing my job, then he's obviously mistaken," Young said.

Young also countered Feehan's disparaging words with his own opinion on the state Republicans' plan to fix infrastructure in Connecticut, saying the conservative party intends to "leverage our kids' futures and make them pay for it."

In 2018, Young defeated Feehan in a close race, with 5,222 votes to Feehan's 5,209, a victory that was clouded by uncertainty when 75 voters were given the wrong ballot. The aftermath of the error went on for months as the question of how to address the mistake was presented to legislative and judicial bodies, but a special election was never held, the Connecticut Post has reported.