General Assembly Turning A Deeper Shade Of Blue

by Staff Report

Senate Republicans lost at least three seats in Tuesday’s election, including those of longtime senators John Kissel of Enfield and Jeff Gordon of Woodstock, and were trailing or tied in five more races early Wednesday. That means the Democrats were on track to hold as many as 33 of the chamber’s 36 seats.

The Associated Press had called 28 races for Democrats and two for Republicans as of 4:39 a.m., with six still too close to call.

Democrats Pick Up 3 Seats (Called by The AP)

• Sen. John Kissel, 7th District, lost to Democrat David Kiner, 56% to 44%.
• Sen. Jeff Gordon, 35th District, lost to Democrat Ethan Werstler, 54% to 46%.
• Republican Joe Kelly lost the open 36th District seat, vacated by Republican gubernatorial nominee Ryan Fazio, to Democrat Jill Oberlander, 55% to 45%.

Senate Races Too Close To Call

• Sen. Paul Cicarella, 34th District, is tied with Democrat Brandi Mandato at 50% each, with more than 95% of the vote counted.
• Sen. Jason Perillo, 21st District, trails Democrat Carolann Reid, 51% to 49%, with more than 95% of the vote counted.
• Senate Minority Leader Stephen Harding, 30th District, trails Democrat Aaron Zimmer, 51% to 49%, with 71% of the vote counted.
• Sen. Heather Somers, 18th District, trails Democrat Joe de la Cruz, 54% to 46%, with 87% of the vote counted.
• Republican Amybeth Laroche trails Democrat Rob Blanchard, 62% to 38%, with 70% of the vote counted, in the open 28th District seat held by Sen. Tony Hwang.
• Sen. Eric Berthel, 32nd District, leads Democrat Matt Knickerbocker, 53% to 47%, with 93% of the vote counted.

The Associated Press called two Republican seats: Sen. Rob Sampson in the 16th District and Sen. Henri Martin in the 31st. Democrats, who held a 25-11 majority going into the election, are guaranteed at least 28 seats and could reach 33 if they win every uncalled race.

Based on the current margins, the most likely outcome is 32 seats, with the 21st, 30th, and 34th districts deciding whether the final count lands at 31, 32, or 33. Any of those outcomes would be the largest Democratic majority in the chamber in at least 34 years, topping the 25 seats Democrats won in 2024. It would also far exceed the 24 seats needed for a two-thirds majority.

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