Connecticut Democrats expect larger legislative majorities

Connecticut Democrats were optimistic Wednesday they’ve substantially increased their ranks in the General Assembly following Tuesday’s elections, giving the party even greater control over hot-button issues such as transportation and taxes as the new legislative session approaches in January.

By midday Wednesday, it appeared the party was on track to enlarge its majorities in both the Senate and House of Representatives, rebounding from the 2016 presidential election when Republicans and Democrats wound up sharing an equal number of seats in the 18-18 state Senate, and Democrats saw their advantage in the House drop to 79-72.

“I think we did well overall,” said Nancy DiNardo, chairwoman of the Connecticut Democratic Party, of the 2020 election. She cited the decision by Republicans not to “distance themselves” from President Donald Trump while criticizing Democrats for supporting a recent police accountability bill as part of the reason behind her party’s success. She said Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont’s efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic also helped Democratic legislative candidates this year.

In the House of Representatives, where Democrats have held a 91-60 advantage, a spokesman said it appears Democrats won about 10 Republican-held seats, while possibly losing two. While The Associated Press has not called all of those races yet, it did confirm Democrat John-Michael Parker defeated fellow Madison resident and veteran Republican Rep. Noreen Kokoruda.

Additionally, AP determined that Democratic Rep. Pat Wilson-Pheanious of Ashford, a former commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Social Services, lost the 53rd House district to Republican Tammy Nuccio of Tolland. And AP called Republican Donna Veach the winner in the 30th House district, a seat currently held by retiring Democratic House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz.

In the Senate, where Democrats have had a 22-14 majority, Democratic state Rep. Rick Lopes of New Britain defeated his city’s Republican senator, Gennaro Bizzaro in a rematch, while outgoing Senate Republican Leader Len Fasano said Sen. George Logan of Ansonia had lost his seat to Jorge Cabrera of Hamden. The Associated Press has not yet called the race.

While Fasano credited some of his members with holding onto their seats in a politically blue state “when all the odds were stacked against us,” he expressed dismay that the contentious presidential election likely led to GOP defeats in Connecticut.

“In such a highly partisan atmosphere, where national politics have taken all the attention off state issues, Republicans were at a significant disadvantage in those districts,” he said in a written statement. “The people of Connecticut are losing senators who have accomplished so much and who have both worked across the aisle and advanced Republican policies that have improved our state for the better.”

The new legislative session is scheduled to begin in January. Lawmakers will be tasked with crafting a new two-year state budget that’s been greatly impacted by the pandemic. They’ll also have to grapple with how to cover the high cost of upgrading the state’s aging transportation infrastructure, especially as state revenues from gas taxes have dropped. On Wednesday, Lamont told reporters that despite the larger number of fellow Democrats in the General Assembly next year, he doesn’t plan to push through highway tolls to generate transportation revenue. Lamont said he expects to present an alternative plan, but would not elaborate.

Lamont also stressed that many of the state’s future plans hinge upon who ultimately is elected president. A supporter of former Vice President Joe Biden, Lamont said he believes the Democrat will be more supportive of providing federal assistance to states facing budget challenges because of COVID-19.

Also, Lamont and Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz said they’re hopeful the state might be in line to receive more federal transportation funding if Biden is ultimately elected.

“I hope that if there is a President Biden, we’re going to see support from the federal government that allows our state to go forward,” Lamont said. “If this country goes a different way, we’ll see what happens.”