Democrats Retain New Britain House Seat

Democrats maintained their 99-52 advantage in Connecticut’s state House, with Rick Lopes winning yesterday’s special election for the 24th District seat formerly held by New Britain Mayor Timothy O’Brien.
Lopes, a former New Britain alderman, received 785 votes, defeating Republican challenger Peter Steele, who received 583 votes. Former state Senator Thomas Bozek, who ran as a petitioning candidate, polled 404 votes.
Just 16 percent of registered district voters cast a ballot Tuesday.
The 24th District covers part of New Britain and the southern end of Newington. The Democrats hold 99 of the 151 House seats.
Lopes, a legislative aide to former state Senator Don DeFronzo, said his focus in the legislature would be economic growth. He has owned a West Hartford property management firm since 1993.
“The state really needs infrastructure improvement to its roads and bridges,” Lopes told the New Britain Herald on election night. “That very work is a real vehicle for economic growth and job creation.”
Lopes will be sworn in this Friday. The 2012 General Assembly convenes February 8.