Democratic Incumbents Retain District Seats
By Robin Vinci at November 8, 2023 | 8:15 pm | Print
It was a night for cheering by the City Democrats at Angelico’s Restaurant Tuesday night as all district incumbents won their seats by landslides.
Cheers of “Terry”, “Bobby”, “Lopes”, “Betty” and “Peter” resonated through the restaurant as each candidate got up to speak in front of a large groups of supporters.
“I’m very, very excited, happy and grateful to voters of the 6th district,” said Theresa Gerratana who ran against Republican Dwight Blint. “This is a great victory.”
Gerratana said she most wants to work on health care, but also wants to get jobs back into the district.
“I have visited a lot of districts,” Gerratana said. “We are making slow, but steady progress.”
“I’m very honored that the voters in the district had the trust and confidence in me to send me back to Hartford for another 2 years to represent the district,” said Rick Lopes, of the 24th district, who ran against Republican Peter Steele. “I look forward to working with the rest of the district, like we did this year, to increase education funding for the City. That is our number 1 priority.”
Peter Tercayk, who is finishing his ninth year as a 26th district representative said, “I’m hoping that the new speaker will choose me to stay as chair of human services. I will be working hard on a basic health plan. I will be doing a lot of detailed health stuff.”
Tercyak ran against Republican Daniel Davis and Independent David Kramer.
Robert Sanchez, who was re-elected to the 25th district was very animated about the victory.
“How about that New Britain? We did it. We are definitely a Democratic City,” said Sanchez. “Republicans hear me out. ‘Go home’. We won 8-1. That is huge.”
Sanchez ran against Republican Rich Gadomski, Independent Alfred Mayo and Green Party Candidate Robert Oullette.
Betty Boukus of the 22nd district, who ran against Republican Scott Saunders said, “What a wonderful day. I love New Britain.”
The atmosphere at the Republican’s victory party at Whinstone Tavern was a little subdued.
“I feel great about my campaign. Everything is up to God and the voters. I did everything I know how to do,” said Davis a Republican who ran in the 26th District. “I ran a very strong campaign.”
“All in all I want to say I am proud of the candidates we were able to field,” said Erin Stewart, vice chairman of the Republican party. “It’s tough and we knew it would be nothing less than that. It is always tough.”
She said candidates were out there telling people it’s not always the party, but the person you should vote for.
“We need to do a better job at resonating that,” Stewart said. “The New Britain Republicans are not like the national Republicans. We are not them. We need to brand ourselves away from them. We are New Britain. We can’t think like them.”
Stewart added that there were people coming up the ranks that are capable of getting their message out there and letting people know they can split their ballots and vote Republican.
”It is only a matter of time,” she added. “We are hoping for much better things next year. I assure you we will have amazing candidates.”
