November 4, 2008

Wright and legislative incumbents win - Hamzy survives Democratic tidal wave

A Democratic landslide that swept aside Republicans across the country carried in a Democratic newcomer to an open state House seat in Bristol but it didn’t prove strong enough to knock out the city’s sole incumbent Republican lawmaker.
Chris Wright, the Democratic newcomer in the 77th District, said his win is “just starting to sink in” after a long, hard campaign against Republican Jill Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald called the race “a wonderful experience” that she might try again someday.
Re-elected to two-year terms were all of the city’s incumbents – state Sen. Tom Colapietro, state Rep. Betty Boukus and state Rep. Frank Nicastro, all Democrats, and Republican state Rep. Bill Hamzy.
Official results were not available late Tuesday, but unofficial tallies from both political parties left the outcomes clear.
Hamzy, a Plymouth Republican whose 78th district includes Bristol, won his eighth term by a comfortable margin over Democrat Jacqui Denksi.
"I'm ecstatic," said Hamzy, who admitted he had been "a little worried, especially the way the tide was going."
Hamzy said he didn't take the race for granted.
"You never know," said Hamzy. But he said, "I had a record to run on and people responded to it."
Nicastro easily won re-election to his second term in the 79th District.
"I plan to work very hard for all my constituents," said Nicastro.
Nicastro faced a symbolic challenge from David L. Norton, who stepped into the race late in October after the original Republican candidate, Derek Jerome, committed suicide.
Norton said he agreed to run in honor of Jerome, who strongly believed in giving voters a choice.
Nicastro said he and Norton spent Election Day together.
"We had some great discussions. It was a pleasure to stand alongside him," said Nicastro. "He was a perfect gentleman."
Colapietro, who has represented the 31st District since 1992, breezed into his ninth term Tuesday.
The race "was pretty easy for me," said Colapietro, a Bristol Democrat. "It's the only time I've ever run unopposed."
Colapietro said he'd been looking forward to talking about the issues, but without an opponent didn't have much chance. He said he likes people to know why he casts the votes he does.
Wright and Fitzgerald were battling for a seat left open by the retirement of one-term state Rep. Ron Burns, a Republican.
Burns said the winners of all the races are going to face “a tough two years. It is going to be quite difficult” dealing with budget cuts and the recession.
“It could be a whole different picture” by the next time state lawmakers face the voters, Burns said.
As polls closed, Bristol Democratic Town Chairman Elliott Nelson said Democrats were optimistic about all their races.
"The numbers are high," said Nelson.
As the polls closed, Colapietro was at the American Legion in Bristol where a glitch in the voting machines kept ballots from being read.
"For awhile they had to count them by hand," said Colapietro.
Nelson said the machines at the American Legion failed early Tuesday morning and weren't back in action until 6:30 p.m.
It was "a major meltdown," said Nelson.
But election officials got the machines going again, Colapietro said, so ballots could be fed into them.
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

The UN-educated people of Bristol again voted the wrong way!!! Not sure what you are trying to prove by voting in Wright and Obama..Change does not change things for the better. You will see. Just remember that in the next 2 years as Chris Wright raises your taxes just like every Dem does.

Anonymous said...

Barnes should resign!

AnonymousWestconnStudent said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

11:15pm - must be lonely being so smart that you are lonely and stupid.
The people spoke so it is evident that we don't need/want to hear from ignoramouses such as you babbling themselves into oblivion.

Anonymous said...

Annonymous WestConn Student

It's very nice of you to protect the integrity of your uncle. You should be proud of his win. You worked hard for it.

Congratulations.

Anonymous said...

November 5, 2008 12:08 AM:

I agree the guy has done a terrible job. He is all name and no substance.

Anonymous said...

11:18 Maybe they are smarter than you think. And a whole lot smarter than you. I take that back "they are smarter than you think" And you !

AnonymousWestconnStudent said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

You won't run unopposed next time, Tom!

Anonymous said...

Was Tom there helping to count the ballots, making sure he won? LOL

Anonymous said...

Gee another two years of these sore losers. More of these creeps. Somebody tell them that Halloween is over. YOU LOSE !!!!!! Wink, Wink.You betchya the results are for everyone to see and when you jerks learn to read, you too.

Anonymous said...

Hey 7:41 have you got the courage to let us all know who you are ? Remember if you do run he'll blow you away cause we all know who he is. Just like this time you don't have the guts to let us know who or what you are. He ran unapposed with you guys opposing him like you always do but guess what his opponent must be you. Faceless and useless.Try running I thik he'll enjoy it !

Anonymous said...

Better get to work! I am, and you will know about it when I want you to know. See you at the debate(s)in 2010. May the best man win.

Anonymous said...

11:18 Once again the voters don't agree with you. 11:18 calls them all dumb. He should run just so the voters show how dumb they are. I think they would be smart enough to throw him out.I guess He'll never learn that he is not always right like you think. I know he right the world is all wrong !Me thinks he wishes he was a skinhead!

Anonymous said...

3:13 Can't wait to see you squirm. And I'm sure the best man will win !

Anonymous said...

Where have you been King 3:13? Oh I know on here crying !

Anonymous said...

I can't wait 8:13 . See Ya !!

Anonymous said...

oops 3:13