Seismic Political Shift to Blue Hits Greenwich at Mid Term Elections

Greenwich Democrats gathered at Bosco’s in Old Greenwich on election night where the atmosphere was joyous. As results of races across the country flashed on TV screens reflecting a seismic political shift, the crowd cheered, including when Democrats won control of the House and likely the Senate as well.

As results of local races were updated, there were more cheers and high fives.

Greenwich Democratic Town Committee chair Christina Downey thanked the numerous volunteers including the data team, events team, and communications team.

The crowd cheered when she said it looked like three of the four candidates for the Greenwich delegation would be going to Hartford.

Downey also congratulated Democrats Aakash Patel and Meghan McCreary who were just married the previous day.

Downey asked candidates Oberlander, Meskers and Arzeno to share remarks, though the final counts were not yet available.

A race that was closely followed was for State Senate for the 36th district which includes Greenwich and parts of New Canaan and Stamford. This is the seat being vacated by Ryan Fazio who pivoted to running for Governor.

Democratic candidate, Jill Oberlander, an attorney who previously served on the BET, including as its chair, followed by a term on the Board of Selectmen, faced off against Republican BET member and former BOE member, Joe Kelly.

Polls closed at 8pm and by about 10:00pm many results were in, but there was an issue with the tabulator in D8, so those results were not included in the tally.

Around 10pm, Democratic BET chair, David Weisbrod started the cheer, “Jill, Jill, Jill!”

Ms Oberlander climbed onto a chair to address the gathered crowd, saying, “We’re close, but we’re not yet there.”

Though she did not declare victory – Oberlander was up by 3,263 votes by 10pm – she said she was hopeful about the outcome, and grateful to a very long list of volunteers she counted as her team, thanking well over 100 people by name.

“I ran because I believe deeply in our democracy. I believe in the institutions that protect it and the constitution I swore an oath to defend, and in the obligations we all have to stand up when those things are threatened.”

“Democracy does not defend itself. This here is what democracy looks like,” she continued. “This is not about me. It’s about all of you – people willing to stand up, get involved to do the hard daily work of protecting democracy.”

“(The campaign) was about values and restoring people’s faith in government,” she continued. “We came together and we did something about it.”

Oberlander talked about working with her volunteers to make thousands of calls, knock on thousands of doors, write thousand of postcards and collectively send hundreds of emails to friends and neighbors.

“I’m truly honored by the trust you placed in me to be your candidate, and if the numbers work out  in our favor, I am ready to get to work for you in Hartford. I look forward hopefully to working with Steve Meskers and Hector.”

By 10:00pm, State Rep Meskers said his opponent Republican Jonathan Goldstein had conceded the race for the 150th district. The results were about 62% for Meskers and 37% for Goldstein, the son of Congressional candidate, Dr. Michael Goldstein who challenged Democrat Jim Himes.

“Our work is unfinished in restoring our democracy. I think the message is a message of support and support for all of us and a repudiation of what’s going on in Washington. It’s a combination of decency and humanity, and the dignity of people,” Meskers said. “Those are the most important things we need to bring forward. No matter what your political affiliation, we are all Americans and the failure to recognize this in this administration in Washington is the largest disgrace I’ve ever witnessed in my life. I’m hoping that the message rings loud and clear throughout the country that this is a decent and well meaning country and these election results are at some level a repudiation and unwillingness of people to repudiate an unacceptable message from a callous and heartless government.”

Around 10:00pm, Hector Arzeno, who was optimistic about his results against Republican challenger Mike Mason, but did not declare victory, thanked his numerous campaign volunteers.

By 10pm Arzeno was up by 1394 votes versus Mr. Mason.

“I’m here because of all of you…You won the election for us. I am so proud. To be part this year of what we are seeing today on the screens – I got tired of talking to people, saying, ‘This is not who we are.’ I would like to start in January, ‘This is what we are,'” Arzeno said to cheers.

“I am so proud to be part of what we have today,” he added. “You know the motto of my campaign: I was elected to do something, not to be something – so I will be doing that.”

Amiel Goldberg, a Stamford resident and member of that city’s Board of Reps, was not present at Bosco’s. By about 10pm, the Greenwich tally had him trailing incumbent Republican Tina Courpas by 475 votes for the State Rep position representing the 149th district.

Republicans gathered at DoubleTree in Stamford, where Senator Fazio conceded the election to Governor Ned Lamont who won a rare third term.

“If the governor succeeds in reducing the cost of government and bringing opportunity to Connecticut we’ll all benefit,” he said.  “People are struggling to find work, pay their taxes and electric bills, raise families and retire.”

“I know that you are going nowhere and I know that I am going nowhere,” he continued. “There’s always hope. I will always be optimistic about Connecticut because we have good people who are proud and care about their community.”

Fazio said he would always be grateful and humbled by his many supporters.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.