In special elections Tuesday, Rep. Jason Perillo, R-Shelton, was elected to the state Senate and Dan Gaiewski, a Democratic councilman fromĀ Groton, won a seat in the state House of Representatives, according to party leaders.
Perillo will succeed former Senate Republican Leader Kevin C. Kelly of Stratford in the 21st Senate District of Monroe, Seymour, Shelton and Stratford. Kelly has been nominated as a Superior Court judge.
He defeated Tony Afriyie, a Democratic councilor in Stratford. Perillo was elected to the House in 2006 and is a deputy minority leader.
Gaiewski will succeed former Rep. Christine Conley, D-Groton, in the 40th House District of Groton and New London. She has been nominated as an administrative law judge on the Workersā Compensation Commission.
He defeated Republican Robert Boris, the chair of the Groton Economic Development Commission.
Kelly and Conley were reelected in November but resigned and declined to take the oath for new terms in January anticipating their nominations by Gov. Ned Lamont.Ā
Both are expected to be confirmed Wednesday by the Judiciary Committee.
If only briefly, the victories of Perillo and Gaiewski will return the General Assembly to full strength, with Democratic majorities of 25-11 in the Senate and 102-49 in the House.Ā
Perillo will resign his 113th House District seat before joining the Senate, requiring another special election.