The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Dem wins after recount in 33rd
Sen.-elect Needleman beats Ziobron by 83 votes
After 13 days, a reporting error and late recount the close state Senate race in the 33rd District ended Monday with a victory by Democrat Norm Needleman, according to Senate Democrats.
The recount found that Needleman, first selectman of Essex, defeated Republican Melissa Ziobron, a state representative from East Haddam, by 83 votes, said Adam Joseph, communications director for Senate Democrats, who had attorneys in towns where recounts took place.
“I’m glad it’s over and I hope this count stands; I don’t think my nerves could take another count,” Needleman said Monday afternoon. “I am very excited for the opportunity to serve the 33rd District — as I was a week and half ago.”
Needleman’s win gives Democrats 23 of 36 state Senate seats.
The 33rd Senate District includes East Hampton, Deep River, Colchester, East Haddam, Essex, Lyme, Westbrook and Old Saybrook.
It is now represented by Sen. Art Linares, R-Westbrook, who did not seek reelection because he ran for state treasurer, but lost in the August primary.
John Heiser of the Essex Registrar of Voters office told the CT Mirror the wrong totals were submitted to the Secretary of the State’s office on election night. The initial returns results they shared had Needleman leading Ziobron by 303 votes.
The new tally put the race within the margin in which a recount is required by Connecticut law.
Needleman, who selffunded his campaign, outspent Ziobron four to one, spending about $475,000 on his election bid, including a massive television commercial blitz, according to campaign finance filings.
Ziobron, a three-term state representative, said on Twitter Monday afternoon, “Our journey has come to an end. Losing by 85 votes after being outspent four to one is an amazing feat.”
Needleman has served as Essex first selectman for four terms after holding many other positions in town government. He is the chief executive officer of Tower Laboratories, a pharmaceutical company in Essex, that employs over 150 people.