Perillo Moves to Senate, Democrats Hold House Seat

After serving 17 years in Connecticut’s House of Representatives, Jason Perillo now moves to the state Senate after winning a Feb. 25 special election.

The Republican defeated Democratic Stratford councillor Tony Afriyie with 53.5% of the vote, according to the Secretary of State’s unofficial results.

Perillo succeeds former Senate Republican Leader Kevin Kelly, who resigned early this year to accept a judicial nomination.

Perillo’s 113th House District vacant seat will now be decided by a special election.

House Victory

In the 40th House District, Groton Democratic councilor Dan Gaiewski claimed victory in the special election.

Gaiewski defeated the GOP’s Robert Boris, chair of the Groton Economic Development Commission, with 66% of the vote.

Gaiewski succeeds former representative Christine Conley, who was nominated as an administrative law judge on the Workers’ Compensation Commission.

Democrats now hold a 24-12 majority in the Senate and have a 56-seat margin in the House.