In a municipal election night filled with some big surprises, the biggest is 26-year-old Republican Erin Stewart winning the New Britain mayor's job her father Tim Stewart held for four terms. Stewart upset one-term Democrat Timothy O'Brien.
Stewart is a 2009 graduate of Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, and the win comes just one frantic day after a scare shut down the campus and sent O'Brien in front of television cameras.
Former New Britain Mayor Timothy Stewart says he's happier watching his daughter win than he was during his past wins #electionday
— Beau Berman | Journalism to Marketing (@BeauReports) November 6, 2013
Last woman to be mayor of New Britain: Linda Blogoslawski, who died in the Newington lottery shootings in 1998.
— Susan Bigelow (@whateversusan) November 6, 2013
In the closely-watched race to replace John DeStefano in New Haven, state Senator Toni Harp beat back a strong challenge by Justin Elicker, another Democrat who had petitioned his way onto the November ballot.
New Haven's new mayor: Toni Harp. #NHV #NHR13 pic.twitter.com/aTDh67DVL3
— Mara Lavitt (@MaraLavitt) November 6, 2013
Mayor Elect Harp: "That is the sound of the glass ceiling shattering" #NewHaven
— Darren Kramer (@DarrenKramer8) November 6, 2013
Next door in East Haven, controversial Mayor Joe Maturo won re-election, despite police scandal in town, comments about "tacos" and latinos, and telling the New Haven Register editorial board "I probably couldn't get elected dog catcher outside the town of East Haven."
Mayor Joe Maturo wins by almost 500 votes #east haven pic.twitter.com/wN8OLugBmZ
— George Colli (@GeorgeColli) November 6, 2013