HARTFORD, Conn. -- Gov. M. Jodi Rell will have a new challenge awaiting her next spring: Democrats gained enough seats in the General Assembly on Tuesday to hold a veto-proof majority in the state legislature.
Democrats held a two-thirds majority in the Senate and gained at least the two seats needed in the House for the same majority, Democratic and Republican leaders said. Both sides cited voters' discontent with Republicans in Washington, which saw the Democrats gain enough seats to take control of the House of Representatives.
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Incumbent Democrats cruised to victory on the state's underticket, with Attorney General Richard Blumenthal beating state Rep. Bob Farr, R-West Hartford; Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz defeating Cheshire Republican Richard Abbate; Comptroller Nancy Wyman winning over state Sen. Cathy Cook, R-Mystic; and Treasurer Denise Nappier beating East Windsor First Selectwoman Linda Roberts.
In the race to replace Cook in the 18th Senate District, Democrat Andrew Maynard beat state Rep. Lenny Winkler, R-Groton, 51 percent to 49 percent. Democrat Steve Berry was leading state Sen. Thomas Herlihy, R-Simsbury, 52 percent to 48 percent.
Other Republican incumbents who were ousted included Reps. Richard Belden of Shelton and Donald Sherer of Stamford. Rep. Cathy Tymniak, R-Fairfield, was losing to Democrat Kim Fawcett defeated Rep. Cathy Tymniak, R-Fairfield, 53 percent to 47 percent.
In other House contests, Democrat Beth Bye defeated Republican Barbara Carpenter 57 percent to 43 percent in the race to replace Farr. In Winkler's House district, Democrat Elissa Wright beat Republican Heather Bond 52 percent to 48 percent.
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