Politics & Government
Republicans Nearly Sweep Ridgefield Elections
State Rep. John Frey will serve another term. For the first time, U.S. Rep. Jim Himes- a Democrat - managed to win Ridgefield.
Editor's Note: The Registrar of Voters in Ridgefield said they won't have the official results tallied until Wednesday, Nov. 7. Ridgefield Patch will provide an update when the numbers become available.
Update at 10:53 p.m.
Ridgefield voters stayed true to their Republican roots by voting predominantly for the GOP in state and federal elections – except for the Fourth District race.
Find out what's happening in Ridgefieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Locally, state Rep. John Frey beat Democrat Jeff Bonistalli by a 63-37 margin, according to unofficial results.
“I’m just as excited today as I was the first time I was elected 14 years ago,” said Frey, a long-time incumbent. He said that the key issues in Hartford are jobs, the economy, the state’s pension liabilities and an affordable housing law called 8-30g.
Find out what's happening in Ridgefieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Bonistalli, a 27-year-old and relative newcomer to the political scene, said the campaign was a valuable learning experience.
“It was a pleasure running and I’m proud of my team,” he said.
In the 26th District for state senate, Ridgefield voters chose state Sen. Toni Boucher (R) by a 61-39 percent margin over Carolanne Curry.
The one race where a Democrat was favored was the Fourth Congressional District. U.S. Rep. Jim Himes received - according to unofficial results - 6,992 votes to Steve Obsitnik’s 6,630. Himes went on to win the race. In 2008 Himes lost the town by several thousand votes. In 2010 Himes lost Ridgefield by approximately 750.
In the U.S. Senate race, 7,233 Ridgefielders backed Linda McMahon and 6,068 supported Chris Murphy, the eventual winner.
Ridgefield voters picked presidential candidate Mitt Romney by a 52.7-46.1 margin against Barack Obama.
Gary Johnson, the libertarian candidate, won 108 votes – or .78 percent. Independent Rocky Anderson won 25 votes.
Original Story
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Good morning, and welcome to Election Day 2012!
Today, Ridgefield residents go to the polls to choose a president, a U.S. Senator, a U.S. Representative from the 4th Congressional District, state representative for the 111th Assembly District, and state senator in the 26th District.
See below for information on where to cast your ballot and the list of candidates. We've also included how Ridgefield voted in 2008, the year of the last presidential election, and 2010, the last mid-term election.
Read it over, then visit your local polling station between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. to make your voice heard! And be sure to check back with Patch for updates throughout the day, including the announcement of the winners as soon as votes are tallied tonight.
State and National Races
U.S. Senate
Chris Murphy (D) and Linda McMahon (R) are vying for the seat vacated by Joe Lieberman. (Click on "U.S. Senate" for updates, results and reactions.)
U.S. Rep. Jim Himes (D) and Steve Obsitnik (R) are after the seat currently held by Himes. (Click on "Fourth Congressional District" for updates, results and reactions.)
2nd District
This race has incumbent Dan Carter, a Republican, facing off against Democrat Steven B. DeMoura.
State Rep. John Frey (R), first elected in 1998, seeks another term. His opponent is Democrat Jeff Bonastelli.
26th Senate District
State. Sen. Toni Boucher (R) hopes to win a third term against Democratic challenger Carolanne Curry in this multi-town district.
Check out our Election Guide to see coverage of candidate debates, updates from the campaign trail, opeds, letters and more.
Live Blog and Election Results
Join your neighbors in a discussion about the election, candidates and the results. (click on the subhead above to access the article)
Ridgefield Polling Places
Polls open at 6 a.m. and will remain open until 8 p.m.
District One: East Ridge Middle School
District Two: Scotts Ridge Middle School
District Three: Yanity Gymnasium
District Four: Scotts Ridge Middle School
Not sure what district you're in? Find out on the Ridgefield of Registrar of Voters' website.
How Ridgefield Voted in 2008 (86.4 Percent Turnout)
(D=Democrat; R=Republican; G=Green; I=Independent; WF=Working Families; CL=Connecticut for Lieberman; WI=Write In, L=Libertarian)
PRESIDENT
- McCain-Palin (R) — 7,840 votes
- Obama-Biden (D) — 6,786 votes
- Nader and Gonzalez (Independent) — 67 votes
- Baldwin-Castle (WI)— 4 votes
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 4th DISTRICT
- Chris Shays (R) 8,411
- Jim Himes (D, WF) — 5,184 votes
- Michael Anthony Carrano (L) – 135 votes
- Richard Duffee (G) - 75 votes
- Eugene Flanagan (WI) – 2 votes
26th SENATE DISTRICT
- Toni Boucher (R) — 7,229 votes
- John Hartwell (D, WF) — 6,135 votes
111th ASSEMBLY DISTRICT
- John Frey (R) — 8,378 votes
- Di Masters (D) - 5,452 votes
How Ridgefield Voted in 2010 (64% Turnout)
(D=Democrat; R=Republican; G=Green; I=Independent; WF=Working Families; CL=Connecticut for Lieberman;)
U.S. SENATE
- Linda McMahon (R) — 5,677 votes
- Richard Blumenthal (D,WF) — 4,573 votes
- Warren Mosler (I) – 108 votes
- Dr. John Mertens (CL) — 51 votes
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 4th DISTRICT
- Dan Debicella (R) — 5,576 votes
- Jim Himes (D,WF) - 4,774
26th SENATE DISTRICT
- Toni Boucher (R) — 6,547 votes
- John Hartwell (D, WF) — 3,678 votes
111TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT
- John Frey (R) — 7,140 votes
- John Heyman (D) – 3,217 votes
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