Deb Polun, MA

Senior Director for Policy & Outreach

Last week, Connecticut residents came out to the polls to vote for a new Governor and Lieutenant Governor, new Constitutional officers, new state legislators, new Congresspeople and a US Senator. With a turnout of 66%, as well as tens of thousands of newly registered voters, this was the highest turnout in a non-Presidential election since 1990.

Voters cited health care and the economy as top issues for them here in Connecticut and across the country. With those in mind, here are a few of the election results:

• Here in Connecticut, Ned Lamont and Susan Bysiewicz will be the new Governor and Lieutenant Governor, beginning January 9^th.  The team’s health care plan can be read here. Rounding out the Constitutional officers will be Secretary of the State Denise Merrill (returning), State Comptroller Kevin Lembo (returning), Attorney General William Tong, and State Treasurer Shawn Wooden.
• On the legislative side, the Democrats made gains in both chambers. With a few seats left to be recounted, the State Senate will have 23-24 Democrats and 12-13 Republicans, while the House is slated to have 90 Democrats and 58 Republicans, with three seats to be recounted. All four legislative leaders were re-elected to their positions – Martin Looney as the Senate President Pro Tempore, Len Fasano as the Senate Minority Leader, Themis Klarides as the House Minority Leader, and Joe Aresimowicz as the Speaker of the House (please note that Speaker Aresimowicz’s election currently is in recount).
• For Congress, US Senator Chris Murphy was re-elected, as were US Representatives John Larson, Joe Courtney, Rosa DeLauro and Jim Himes. Jahana Hayes was elected as the new Congressperson for the 5^th District. Some of our Representatives are in line for subcommittee leadership positions, including Congresswoman DeLauro (Agriculture Subcommittee of Appropriations), Congressman Larson (Social Security Subcommittee of Ways & Means) and Congressman Courtney (Seapower & Projection Forces Subcommittee of Armed Services).
• Nationally, Republicans gained seats in the US Senate and Democrats took control of the US House. A few seats remain to be recounted. Practically speaking, the Democrats’ control of the House can serve as a check/balance of proposals to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA). CHCACT will continue to monitor administrative proposals and changes to the ACA.

The next legislative session begins in January, and CHCACT will keep you abreast of issues as they arise. Additionally, we are always seeking health center leaders, staff, patients, board members and partners to tell their stories and assist with advocacy efforts. If you’d like to get involved with advocacy, get in touch!