Sampson takes victory in Senate race

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Rob Sampson

SOUTHINGTON — Republican Rob Sampson claimed victory Tuesday night in the 16th Senatorial District race, which according to unofficial results he won over Democratic opponent Vickie Nardello.

Sampson said he is excited to “succeed my dear friend Joe Markley.”

He and Nardello vied for the open 16th Senate seat vacated by Sen. Joseph Markley, who ran for lieutenant governor.

“I’m proud that I ran a clean race,” Sampson said Tuesday night. “I promise to continue my efforts to rebuild Connecticut’s economy and preserve our American identity.”

Sampson was in his fourth term as the representative from the 80th district, which includes Wolcott and part of Southington, before announcing he would run for the senate seat. Nardello was previously a state representative for 18 years.

The 16th Senate District includes Wolcott, Waterbury, Southington, Cheshire and Prospect.

Earlier this year, a paperwork error and a series of missteps that followed almost kept Nardello off the Aug. 14 primary ballot for the Democratic nomination but a judge granted a reprieve, which kept her on the primary ballot.

Nardello was challenged in the primary by fellow Democrat Dagmara Scalise, 51, of Southington, and she won by a razor-thin margin.

At about 9:30 p.m., Nardello conceded in a statement that read, “I extend my deepest gratitude and appreciation to the dozens of volunteers and union members who have worked so hard on my campaign. I am truly humbled by their support. Together, we ran a campaign that put working families first and that’s something we should all be proud of.”

“Congratulations to my opponent for running a competitive race. I wish Representative Sampson the best of luck representing the people of the 16th District,” she said.