Zupkus wins fourth term in 89th District

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Lezlye Zupkus

PROSPECT — Republican state Rep. Lezlye Zupkus secured her fourth consecutive term representing the 89th House District in Tuesday’s election.

Zupkus, 51, defeated Democrat Anne Harrigan by an unofficial count of 7,623 to 4,367 — roughly 64 percent of the vote — to retain her seat representing the district, which includes Prospect, Bethany and Cheshire.

“I promise each and every one of you I will continue to fight for you, to be your voice for you, to be transparent,” said Zupkus during a speech to family, friends and supporters at her Prospect home Tuesday night after the results were announced.

Zupkus, the state director for Best Buddies CT, ran uncontested for the seat in 2016, but in April, Harrigan, a Cheshire Board of Education member announced a run to challenge Zupkus.

At the time, Harrigan, 57, said she believes democracy works when people have a choice.

“Obviously, we’re disappointed with the results as the numbers are coming in,” Harrigan said Tuesday night. “I’m very happy with the campaign we ran.”

Harrigan thanked all of her supporters during the campaign and at the polls. She said she will continue to work on issues she thinks are important to improving the 89th District and Connecticut, including ensuring students have a quality education, and tax fairness to relieve the burden on the middle class.

“I will continue to advocate,” she said. “We can do all this without being a member of the legislature.”

Zupkus said she will continue working to get the state’s financial health in order.

“Whether you’re Republican or Democrat, people are tired of being overtaxed and they want to leave our state,” she said.

Zupkus said the legislature needs to turn the state around to make it a place that people can stay and retire in.

“I think people are sick and tired, and I’m very grateful that they believe in me to be their voice,” she said.