Politics & Government

Sam Belsito: ‘We’re Going to Take Our State Back’

Republicans view the GOP's recent win in the 53rd District as a positive political harbinger for their party in 2014.

State Republicans are viewing the GOP win this week in the 53rd District special election as a boon for Republicans going into the 2014 political season. 

They believe the win by Tolland resident Sam Belsito represents voter sentiment against the policies of Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and could indicate gains in the General Assembly next year when the legislative elections are held. 

“Mark my words: We’re taking over, we’re going to take our state back in a year and a half,” Belsito told the Web site Connecticut News Junkie Tuesday.

Find out what's happening in Tollandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

This is the first time a Republican has won the 53rd District in more than four decades, according to a Hartford Courant report.

In Tolland, Belsito won the 53rd District on Tuesday night on a vote of 1,024 to 794.

Find out what's happening in Tollandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

"Our comeback as a party began last night...this small little statehouse race is the canary in the coal mine,'' state Republican Party Chairman Jerry Labriola told the Courant.

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