As we look more closely at the CT election results, we are struck by what a strong election day it was for Republicans across the state. There are a few exceptions, but by and large Republicans improved notably from their 2017 performance.
Let’s start with Fairfield County. Formerly a swing district that often saw Republicans win most of the wealthier suburban communities, the suburban towns have moved leftward in recent years. Yesterday was a significant reversal. In 2017, New Canaan’s Republican First Selectman Kevin Moynihan won with 50.3% of the vote. Yesterday, he won with 61%! In Wilton, Democrats had actually won the first selectman race in 2017 as Republicans split between two candidates. Yesterday, Republicans won with 63% of the vote. Further North in Litchfield County, Republicans held the mayor in Danbury, the largest city in the County. Other interesting results included a Republican pick up in Old Lyme and much larger Republican margins in cities like New Britain, Berlin, Madison and Orange. There were a few Democratic pick ups including the Towns of Litchfield and Madison, but these were clearly the exception.
A second noticeable observation was the poor turnout of voters in Connecticut’s largest cities. Despite competitive mayoral races, Hartford had a turnout of 16% while Bridgeport did only slightly better at 20%, both well below the state average of 32%. For comparison, Greenwich saw a turnout of 46% that came out to support the town’s new Republican First Selectman Fred Camillo.
The combination of strong Republican gains in many suburban communities and extremely weak turnout in big cities should be very worrying to Democrats. While no one expects Connecticut to be a swing state in 2020, it could become one if this trend were to continue. Republicans almost won the Gubernatorial election in 2018. In short, it would not be inconceivable for Republicans to start being much more competitive in statewide races.
NewEnglandPolitics.com 