Helped by Trump, Democrats gain in Conn. General Assembly

From CT Mirror.

The unpopularity of President Donald J. Trump in Connecticut helped Democrats increase their sizable majorities in the General Assembly on Tuesday as close to 80% of the state’s 2.3 million voters cast ballots at the polls or by absentee.

With a record number of votes cast by absentee due to the COVID-19 pandemic, legislative leaders braced for a long night awaiting returns, but the results available by midnight showed Democrats picking up House seats in the Farmington Valley, Fairfield, on the shoreline in Clinton, and in Waterbury, while losing a couple in eastern Connecticut.

House Majority Leader Matt Ritter, D-Hartford, said Democrats made a net gain of at least seven seats, and he informed his caucus by email early Wednesday that they will convene in January with a majority of 98-53 — and possibly 100-51, if two close challenges of Republicans fall their way.

Unofficial results showed Senate Democrats successfully defending their 22 seats and capturing two from Republicans, though margins could change Wednesday as some towns continued counting absentee ballots. If the numbers hold, the Democratic majority would be 24-12 in January.

See the complete article from CT Mirror online.