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November 25, 2024

Recount: Honig unseated Seminara in CT’s 8th Senate District

mark pazniokas / ct mirror Sen.-elect Paul Honig of Harwinton with Rep. Eleni Kavros DeGraw at a pre-election rally in Canton, one of the 11 towns in the 8th Senate District.
By Mark Pazniokas, CT Mirror

Democratic challenger Paul Honig’s close victory over Sen. Lisa Seminara, R-Avon, was affirmed Friday afternoon after a multiday recount in the 11 communities that make up the 8th Senate District.

Honig, 61, a retired finance and computer science executive and current member of the Board of Selectmen in Harwinton, won with 50.27% of the vote in his rematch with Seminara. In 2022, she won with 50.13%.

“To my opponent, I extend my congratulations,” Seminara said. “The voters have spoken, and I respect their decision. I wish you success as you take on the responsibilities of the office.”

It was her second concession since Election Day. 

Honig initially seemed to win by a more comfortable margin, but a partial recount in Torrington narrowed his margin of victory to less than one-half of one percent, triggering an automatic district-wide recount.

Just prior to Seminara’s concession and the posting of the revised results, Honig said he believed he was the winner.

“The unofficial numbers from observers is that I gained 28 votes across the 11 towns, so I think my lead is approximately 285. I think we’re done, and I won the election,” Honig said.

The numbers posted Friday showed him winning by 320 votes — 28,941 to 28,621.

Seminara’s loss will increase the Senate Democratic majority to 25-11 when the new terms and 2025 legislative session begin on Jan. 8. With a net gain of four seats, the House Democratic majority will be 102-49.

Honig will be one of two new members to join the Senate in January. The other is Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox of Bridgeport, a Democrat succeeding Sen. Marilyn Moore, who did not run again after a decade in the Senate.

The 8th District is dominated by Farmington Valley suburbs of Avon, Canton and Simsbury, a Republican area that has trended Democratic. It is anchored on the west by a portion of Torrington, a city that favors Republicans.

Seminara had no immediate thoughts about a third contest with Honig, noting that the hour after a concession was not the time to ponder another race. But she added the race was close and she would watch the coming session.

To Honig, she said, “It is my sincere hope you will govern with a commitment to the well-being of all our citizens. Our state faces many challenges, and it is crucial we come together to address them.”

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