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Incumbent State Sen. Needleman Wins Fourth Term in 33rd District, Thanks All Voters—Regardless of Whether They Voted for Him

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State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) has won a fourth term to serve the 33rd Senate District.

LYME, CT—State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) today thanked voters in Connecticut, whether they voted for or against him, as he happily celebrated winning his fourth term serving the 33rd Senate District in the State Senate.

With this victory part of a continued pattern of success for Sen. Needleman after he was first elected to the Senate in 2018, he reflected on the power that every vote holds.

“To have the opportunity to return to Hartford and continue working for the people of Connecticut is one I cherish,” said Sen. Needleman.

He added, “For six years, I have been able to give our towns a voice in the Capitol and make sure we have representation for issues impacting our daily lives. I’m grateful and thankful to everyone who voted, whether they cast a ballot for me or my opponent.”

Continuing, “This year’s election drew large numbers of voters to the polls, which is the best possible outcome for any election, no matter the final results – the more people who make their voices heard, the better,” Sen. Needleman concluded, “That’s something I will not take lightly.”

Sen. Needleman’s first three terms saw him serve as Senate Chair of the Energy & Technology Committee, leading passage of several impactful bills seeking to improve transparency and quality of service for Connecticut energy ratepayers.

Sen. Needleman serves in addition as Vice Chair of the Planning and Development Committee and a member of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding, Transportation and Commerce Committees.

Sen. Needleman will continue to represent the town of Lyme as well as the towns of Colchester, Chester, Clinton, Deep River, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Old Saybrook, Portland and Westbrook.

Sen. Needleman founded and runs a manufacturing company, Tower Laboratories in Centerbrook, and is currently serving his sixth term as the First Selectman of Essex.

Editor’s Note: This article is based on a press release issued Nov. 6 by Senator Needleman’s office.

Old Lyme Results Reflect Statewide Wins for Democrats Murphy, Courtney; District 23 Win for Incumbent Carney (R)

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OLD LYME — 11/6 UPDATES—Unofficial results indicate incumbent Martha Marx (D) has won a second term in the 20th State Senate District, which includes Old Lyme.

The ballot question regarding the use of absentee ballots looks as though it will likely pass according to unofficial results. This amendment would support a law allowing any voter to vote by absentee ballot, without needing an excuse. At 3:34 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, the New York Times reported 56.8 percent supporting the measure and 43.2 percent voting against it, with 59 percent of the vote counted.

The unofficial results of Tuesday’s election in the Town of Old Lyme are below. The first number is from in-person voting at Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School on Tuesday and the second number from both Early Voting and Absentee votes. All numbers are provisional.

Connecticut US Senator Christopher Murphy (D) and Connecticut US House Representative Joe Courtney, both Incumbents, have respectively been declared winners.

Incumbent State Rep. Devin Carney (R) has claimed victory in the 23rd District and his challenger Jane Wisilowski has conceded to him. Carney was running to secure a sixth term. The 23rd District includes both Lyme and Old Lyme.

Incumbent State Senator Norm Needleman (D) has been declared the winner in the 33rd District, which includes Lyme.

No winner has yet been declared in the 20th State Senate District, which includes Old Lyme. Incumbent Martha Marx (D) is seeking a second term—she is being challenged by Republican Shawn Mastroianna.

SHALL THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE BE AMENDED TO PERMIT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO ALLOW EACH VOTER TO VOTE BY ABSENTEE BALLOT?
Yes: 2,532
No: 1,736

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS
Harris and Walz (D): 3,107
Trump and Vance (R): 2,127
Stein and Ware (G): 42
Oliver and Ter Maat (L): 26
Kennedy, Jr. and Shanahan (PC): 29

UNITED STATES SENATOR
Christopher S. Murphy (D) & (WF): 3029 + 97
Matthew M. Corey (R): 2,026
Justin C. Paglino (G): 25
Robert Finley Hyde (CGGP): 32

REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS
Joe Courtney (D): 3,269
Mike France (R): 1,999

STATE SENATOR
Martha Marx (D) & (I): 2,786
Shawn Mastroianni (R): 2,266

STATE REPRESENTATIVE
Jane Wisialowski (D) & (WF): 2,540
Devin R. Carney (R) & (I): 2,706

REGISTRAR OF VOTERS
Jennifer Datum (D): 2,882
Catherine Carter (R): 2,256

Wisialowski Concedes to Incumbent State Rep. Carney in 23rd District

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Jane Wisialowsi was the Democratic candidate for the 23rd District State Representative.

OLD SAYBROOK/OLD LYME/LYME—Democrat Jane Wisialowski issued a statement tonight conceding victory in the 23rd District to five-term incumbent State Rep. Devin Carney (R). The 23rd District includes both Lyme and Old Lyme.

Her statement read, in full, as follows:

Jane Wisialowski, first time Democratic state representative candidate, narrowly lost to incumbent Republican, Devin Carney. 

“Obviously we are disappointed with the outcome but, with your help, we ran a race we can be  proud of. We came closer than any other candidate has to defeat a five-time incumbent. We knew it would be an uphill battle, but I believe we sent an important message to my  opponent – the people of the district are watching how you vote and you need to better  represent our values,” Jane said tonight addressing a crowd of enthusiastic supporters.  

After decades working in her corporate career, Jane became an advocate for people struggling with healthcare and financial hardships. She’s lived, worked, and raised her family in Old  Saybrook for 25 years. She has also spent countless hours volunteering in the schools and  serving her community in elected positions at the Old Saybrook Parks and Recreation  Commission and Board of Education. 

In May, her campaign for State Representative qualified for public financing within a week and secured the endorsement of more than a dozen labor and issue oriented organizations. Jane  and her team knocked more than 5,600 doors throughout the district and rallied countless  volunteers. 

“Old Saybrook had an outstanding Democratic candidate in Jane,” said Old Saybrook Selectman Matt Pugliese. “Those who voted for her saw how well she represented their values and  appreciated that she was focused on giving those values a platform in Hartford. We hope that  Representative Carney will recognize Jane’s strong show of support and the importance of  these issues for the residents in the district he represents.”  

Kim Thompson, Chair of the Old Lyme Democratic Town Committee remarked, “Jane worked  really hard. She relentlessly knocked doors on both sides of the river and truly got to know the  people and the issues of Old Lyme and Lyme. We were exceptionally proud to support her.”

Lyme Results See Democrats Harris, Murphy, Courtney, Needleman & Wisialowski All Win; Constitutional Amendment Garners Strong Yes Vote

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LYME— The unofficial results of today’s election in the Town of Lyme are below. These results include both Early Voting and Absentee Votes.

SHALL THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE BE AMENDED TO PERMIT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO ALLOW EACH VOTER TO VOTE BY ABSENTEE BALLOT?
Yes: 808
No: 468

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS
Harris and Walz (D) 1,097
Trump and Vance (R) 537
Stein and Ware (G) 13
Oliver and Ter Maat (L) 13
Kennedy, Jr. and Shanahan (PC) 11
Write-In Votes 6

UNITED STATES SENATOR
Christopher S. Murphy (D) & (WF) 1,063
Matthew M. Corey (R) 553
Justin C. Paglino (G) 6
Robert Finley Hyde (CGGP) 8
Write-In Votes 1

REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS
Joe Courtney (D) 1,097
Mike France (R) 533
Write-In Votes 0

STATE SENATOR
Norm Needleman (D) & (I) 1,048
Jeffery Duigou (R) 563
Write-In Votes 0

STATE REPRESENTATIVE
Jane Wisialowski (D) & (WF) 902
Devin R. Carney (R) & (I) 727
Write-In Votes 0

REGISTRAR OF VOTERS
Dottie Wells (D) 953
Judith Davies (R) 638
Write-In Votes 1

Local Candidates Respond to Our Questions

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In keeping with a long tradition and in the interests of increasing voter knowledge prior to next week’s critically important elections, we asked all the state candidates, whose districts include Lyme and/or Old Lyme, to send us a brief biography and photo, and answer three questions that we posed to them.

We are delighted to report that all six candidates responded to our questions by our deadline and also adhered to our strict word limits — 100 words for the biography and 350 words for each response. We would like to express our sincere thanks to the candidates for their timely cooperation.

The questions were:

  1. What is the most serious problem currently facing the state of Connecticut? What proposal(s) would you make to alleviate the problem? 
  2. ‘Book-banning’ has been a significant issue in the community—where do you stand on the matter?
  3. Why are you running for this position?

The candidates are:

CT HOUSE DiSTRICT #23 (includes Lyme and Old Lyme)

Devin Carney (R – Incumbent)

Jane Wisialowski (D)

CT STATE SENATE DISTRICT #20 (includes Old Lyme)

Martha Marx (D – incumbent)

Shaun Mastroianni (R)

CT STATE SENATE DISTRICT #33  (includes Lyme)

Norm Needleman (D – incumbent)

Jeff Duigou (R) 

Click on the candidate’s name above to read their biography and responses to our questions.

Continuing our commitment to independent, objective journalism, we will not be making any candidate endorsements.