PARIS PULLS AHEAD
Democrat claims victory in special election for state’s 145th House District
STAMFORD — With only three voting districts casting ballots Tuesday, it took only about half an hour after the polls closed for Democrat Corey Paris to claim victory as the winner of the special election for the 145th House District.
Paris garnered 730 votes compared to Republican Juan David “J.D.” Ospina’s 225, according to unofficial results from Stamford Democratic City Committee headquarters.
“I am so excited because I can finally go to sleep tonight. But I’m also so excited because I get to represent one of the best districts,” Paris said.
“I want to thank every constituent in the 145th District that went out of their way to give me not only their trust, not only their confidence, but their vote because they’re what’s most important,” he added.
After the November elections, a special election took place in March for the state Senate’s 27th District seat. Patricia Billie Miller, who was the representative of the state House’s 145th district, won that election. Now, voters in Stamford’s Waterside and West Side neighborhoods have chosen Miller’s replacement.
“I want to thank all of the
young people, all of the young families,” Paris said. “This is for you. I will work hard for you and be a champion of progress for you every single day in Hartford, and if I don’t, then you can vote me out, but I promise you this is not going to be a mistake on our part. Stamford, we are still at the forefront of being the powerhouse delegation, and I am proud to join this delegation.”
“First and foremost, everyone who knows me knows that my faith, my faith in God and my faith in just doing the right thing … is such a huge focal point to who I am as an individual,” added Paris, the director of development for the Children’s Learning Centers of Fairfield County. He also is the vice chairman of the Mayor’s Multicultural Council.
Paris said it was “a tough race” and he and his campaign knocked on nearly 2,000 doors over six weeks and made over 1,000 calls.
Ospina, a U.S. Army veteran, said Tuesday evening that he conceded the race, which he said became much more “hostile” than he would’ve liked.
Republicans had knocked city Democrats for endorsing Paris, who returned to Stamford in recent weeks after living in Bridgeport for about a year. He has said that he moved because of a divorce.
A Stamford Republican, Joshua Esses, who ran against Miller in the special state Senate election, filed a complaint against Paris alleging that he engaged in voter fraud by voting in Stamford after moving to Bridgeport.
Paris has said that he always planned to move back to Stamford, and that he voted in Stamford after receiving information from the Secretary of the State’s office indicating that it was OK for him to do so.
Last week, the State Elections Enforcement Commission determined that it was necessary to investigate the complaint, spokesperson Joshua Foley said. It’s unclear how long the investigation will take.
Low — but motivated — voters
Turnout was low at the polls as some Stamford voters cast their third ballot in six months.
“It’s a light crowd today, but every vote counts,” Ramon Medina, the poll moderator at the Salvation Army Community Center, said Tuesday morning.
A few minutes drive away, Westover Magnet Elementary School saw a “steady stream” of voters in the afternoon, said Tom Laman, an assistant moderator
“Considering that there wasn’t much publicity for the special election, I think the turnout is probably reasonable,” he said.
Moderator Bunny Sempey said even though it was a special election, residents “seem to be excited about coming out to vote.”
One voter at the school, Iceypheen McClain, said she voted for Paris because she is a Democrat and she believes in what Democrats “stand for.” Even for a special election, she said it was important for residents to get out and vote.
“We have to get out. If you want to make a difference, make a difference by voting,” McClain said.
Like McClain, Carole Greenberg said she planned to support Paris, saying he “brings a lot to the table that would be very helpful for this area,” and that she shares many of his beliefs.
April Kish and her husband James also cast ballots in favor of the Democrat.
“I saw him in the news a few times, and he seems pretty down to earth,” said April Kish, who voted at Cloonan Middle School.
She added that she “almost forgot” about Tuesday’s election, but she remembered after seeing signs in the area.