Special elections were held for Districts 3, 5, and 6 of the Connecticut State Senate and Districts 39 and 99 of the Connecticut House of Representatives on February 26. All five seats were vacated by Democrats who joined Gov. Ned Lamont’s (D) administration.

 

In Senate District 6, Gennaro Bizzarro (R) defeated state Rep. Rick Lopes (D) with 53.0 percent of the vote. The former incumbent in District 6, Terry Gerrantana (D), had won re-election in 2018 and 2016 with 62.6 and 64.6 percent of the vote, respectively.

 

In House District 99, Joseph Zullo (R) defeated Josh Balter (D) with 54.1 percent of the vote. James Albis (D) represented the district prior to his resignation in January. He had won re-election in 2018 and 2016 with 58.2 and 50.05 percent of the vote, respectively.

 

Democrats Saud Anwar, Derek Slap, and Anthony Nolan won Senate Districts 3 and 5 and House District 39, respectively, which kept the three seats under Democratic control. Overall, the special elections resulted in a net gain of one Republican seat in each chamber of the legislature.

 

After Tuesday’s special elections, the partisan balance of the Connecticut State Senate now stands at 22 Democrats and 14 Republicans. The Connecticut House of Representatives now has 91 Democrats and 60 Republicans. Connecticut has a Democratic state government trifecta. A trifecta exists when one political party simultaneously holds the governor’s office and majorities in both state legislative chambers.