Electors returned two incumbents to New Canaan’s delegation to the state legislature Tuesday, while voting in two Democrats to fill open seats.
State Reps. Lucy Dathan (D-142nd) and Tom O’Dea (R-125th) retained their seats during the midterm election, while Democrat Ceci Maher won the 26th state Senate district and Democrat Keith Denning won the newly created 42nd House district on a mostly frigid, clear day that saw turnout among New Canaanites decline by about 5% of eligible voters compared to the 2018 midterms.
[Adding on Nov. 17, 2022: State Sen. Ryan Fazio (R-36th) won his race versus Democratic challenger Trevor Crow following a recount, according to The Advocate.]
Here’s a table detailing how New Canaan voted and how candidates fared overall in their races (we’ll update this as more returns come in):
How New Canaan Voted: Election Day 2022
* Source: Town of New Canaan
Office Candidate & Party (winner in bold) New Canaan tally* Overall**
State House 42nd Keith Denning, Democrat 644 5,500 (95% reporting)
Kim Healy, Republican 735 5,017
State House 125th Victor Alvarez, Democrat 2,840 5,016 (95% reporting)
Tom O'Dea, Republican 3,929 5,802
State House 142nd Lucy Dathan, Democrat 382 4,622 (95% reporting)
Donald Mastronardi, Republican 376 3,413
State Senate 26th Toni Boucher, Republican 856 18,421 (92% reporting)
Ceci Maher, Democrat 602 24,033
State Senate 36th Ryan Fazio, Republican 4,109 21,451 (95% reporting)
Trevor Crow, Democrat 3,305 21,353
4th Congressional Jim Himes, Democrat 4,449 135,515
Jayme Stevenson, Republican 4,479 94,599
U.S. Senate Richard Blumenthal, Democrat 4,580 688,416 (93% reporting)
Leora R. Levy, Republican 4,282 524,999
Governor & Lt. Governor Robert Hotaling & Stewart "Chip" Beckett, Independent 30 12,512 (93.15% reporting)
Ned Lamont & Susan Bysiewicz 4,650 676,902
Bob Stefanowski & Laura Devlin, Republican 4,284 535,205
Comptroller Sean Scanlon, Democrat 4,027 649,561 (93.15% reporting)
Mary Fay, Republican 4,720 541,051
Attorney General Jessica Kordas, Republican 4,439 501,954 (93.15% reporting)
William Tong, Democrat 4,312 667,718
Secretary of the State Dominic Rapini, Republican 4,405 519,440 (93.15% reporting)
Stephanie Thomas, Democrat 4,272 652,018
Treasurer Harry Arora, Republican 4,922 540,485 (93.15% reporting)
Erick Russell, Democrat 3,746 607,970
** Source: Hartford Courant (100 percent of precincts reporting unless otherwise noted)
New Canaanites also backed winning Democrats in higher contests such as the gubernatorial race—a change from 2018. The party breakdown in New Canaan has changed since that time:
New Canaan Voter Count 2022 vs. 2018
Source: New Canaan Registrars of Voters
Democrat Republican Unaffiliated
Nov. 2, 2022 3,731 5,088 4,931
Nov. 1, 2018 2,986 6,285 4,376
Candidates for the state legislature discussed affordable housing, women’s reproductive rights, taxes and early voting during the League of Women Voters of New Canaan’s debate, held Oct. 20 at Town Hall.
The issue of affordable housing—very much on the minds of locals, with three applications for 8-30g developments filed and New Canaan’s recent failure to find relief from the state law—emerged late in the campaign as a political issue, with “Save Weed Street, Vote Republican” signs appearing in town.
One neighbor and opponent of the proposed development at Weed and Elm Streets, Giacomo Landi, on Friday emailed several candidates for the state legislature as well as the Board of Selectmen and Town Council to voice concerns about the signs.
“I was surprised, and frankly disappointed, to see ‘Want to Save Weed Street vote Republican’ signs up around town this morning,” Landi said in his email. “As a very vocal neighbor to this proposed development, I and many others have tried very very hard to make the ‘Weed Street issue’ as non-partisan (while understanding it is a political issue) as possible. I personally have appreciated support received from Democrats, Republicans and Independents on this issue, as most everybody in town agrees that the development proposed at 751 Weed Street is inappropriate.”
Constituents also voted to amend the state constitution to allow in-person early voting. According to the Hartford Courant, 338,564 had voted “Yes” on the question compared to 228,257 voting “No,” with 94% of votes counted as of 7 a.m. Wednesday.
Former state Sen. Toni Boucher, a Republican who had been seeking to regain her seat, issued the following statement via email Wednesday: “Eight months ago, I announced I was ‘getting off the sidelines’ and running for the 26th State Senate District. Eight months later, after the election, I just want to tell you how GRATEFUL I am to all of you. I have fought the good fight and finished the race. With a district that is now split 61% to 39% it was an uphill climb and not a likely win. But I gave it my all and left nothing on the field. I am extremely proud of our honest campaign and the great people and students that stepped up to help. There are so many supporters to thank: my treasurer and deputy treasurer; dedicated support staff; fellow candidates; our RTC volunteers; my amazing student interns and legions of drivers. There were those who walked up many front doors with me, had events for us and donated to us. Friends stepped up to decorate our headquarters, post signs or said a kind word that picked me up when the road seemed too tough. The silver lining is all the wonderful new friendships made and old friendships rekindled. That is what will last and is my greatest reward. I also want to thank my husband who is always with me in spirit and a family who never wavered in their support- even as they wished that I would have a calmer, more peaceful life and start cooking again. There were so many lovely people who welcomed me into their homes. They renewed my faith that most people are kind, no matter their politics and want only the best for our community and our country. This tells me we will be OK. Our democracy is intact. I also want to congratulate terrific colleagues who won or did not win their races. They worked extremely hard and earned our thanks for running. And to those that did win- you have a huge responsibility to do what is right for the people of our district. Go to Hartford and help make our state more affordable and safer, defend local control, and protect parents’ rights and decisions over our children’s education. Most important, respect and listen to those that differ from your point of view. Always remember that being in office is not about you but the office you hold. It is now up to the next generation to carry the torch and I remain here to help whenever needed.”
Jayme Stevenson of Darien, a Republican who challenged Himes for the 4th Congressional District, issued the following statement via email Wednesday: “The voters have spoken here in the 4th CD and I congratulate Jim Himes on a successful re-election. I’m deeply grateful to my family and everyone who invested time, energy and funding in my campaign and to my talented, passionate team who believed deeply in our mission. We may not have won this race but our winning comes from the incredible people we’ve met and the thoughts, ideas and stories we’ve shared. I’ve listened. I see you. For any successful candidate, winning comes with great responsibility not only to those who voted for you but also to those who didn’t. The best leaders reflect on what isn’t working for the voters they lost and try to do better. Democracy isn’t simply about serving the winning majority…it’s about re-balancing after the election so that everyone benefits from the decisions and outcomes of those who have earned the privilege to lead. Our nation remains more divided than ever. I’m calling on our newly elected/re-elected leaders to bridge the political divide to help heal our nation. We need you to make America safer and more affordable; to partner with parents to ensure our children get the education they deserve; to make legal immigration a priority; to protect our environment while accepting that energy must remain affordable for families and businesses and to recognize that a strong Democracy requires a free and unbiased media, valuing different perspectives and showing up for everyone you serve.”
NewCanaanite.com will update this article as more results come in.