Luxenberg Returning To Capitol

Democrat Tops Republican-Backed Unaffiliated Voter Tom Tierney After 4-Year Hiatus

MANCHESTER — Voters on Tuesday returned Democrat Geoff Luxenberg to the 12th House District after a four-year hiatus.

Unofficial results showed that Luxenberg easily defeated Tom Tierney, a local funeral director who was endorsed by Manchester Republicans. The district is wholly within Manchester.

“I'm ecstatic and very appreciative of the people of Manchester for giving me this opportunity,” Luxenberg said. “I'm ready to roll up my sleeves and put my heart and soul into representing the people of Manchester well.”

Luxenberg, 35, represented the district for two terms before deciding not to run again in 2014.

His former wife, incumbent Democratic Rep. Kelly Juleson-Scopino, did not seek re-election.

Local Republicans endorsed Tierney, a former Democrat and now an unaffiliated voter, who has said he was not happy with the direction of the Democratic Party. The director at John F. Tierney Funeral Home said he ran for the seat because he wanted his hometown and state to be a place where his daughters, ages 6 and 8, want to live.

Luxenberg, who has also served on the Manchester school board, has said he was ready to “take my pride in Manchester and my passion for Democratic values back to the state Capitol.”

Both Luxenberg and Tierney have been involved in many civic and volunteer efforts.

Now working as the business development director for a Wethersfield-based technology company, Luxenberg was a part owner of The Vinci Group, a Manchesterbased political consulting firm, before becoming Middletown Mayor Dan Drew's chief of staff last year.

Drew also was briefly a gubernatorial candidate, and Luxenberg resigned from the city hall job after he donated money to Democratic committees and candidates on behalf of “Team Dan Drew,” or a similar entity, without Drew's knowledge.

In a message to Democrats earlier this year, Luxenberg acknowledged “missteps,” but also recounted his hard work on issues, such as fighting racial profiling, passing gun safety laws and protecting union jobs.

Nevertheless, top Democrats, including several state legislators who represent Manchester, had backed another candidate, Nicole Lake, over Luxenberg before the nominating convention.

Lake withdrew after seeing that Luxenberg had an edge in delegates, and Democratic leaders, including local town committee Chairman Mike Pohl, rallied around Luxenberg again.

“Because of Geoff's passion for helping people, “Pohl said at the time, “he admittedly has made some mistakes. He has learned from them and he will be a great representative for Manchester.”