House Republicans Gain a Seat

Republicans in the state House of Representatives added one more member this week with the special- election victory of Sam Belsito to fill the vacant 53^rd District seat (Ashford, Tolland and Willington). Belsito is a small business owner and a member of the Tolland town council. He defeated musician Tony Horn, a Democrat. Here’s more coverage of the election and results.
The election slightly changes the numbers in the House to 98 Democrats and 53 Republicans.
The seat became vacant earlier this year when former Rep. Bryan Hurlburt (D) resigned to become executive director of the federal Farm Service Agency’s Connecticut office.
Barring any special sessions this summer or fall, lawmakers will return to the state Capitol in February for the 2014 legislative session.