Update: Cabrera wins a nail-biter in 17th

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By Andreas Yilma, Staff Writer

Jorge Cabrera, the Democratic candidate in the 17th Senate District race, right, talks with Gov. Ned Lamont while campaigning outside the Keefe Community Center in Hamden on Tuesday. -ANDREAS YILMA

HAMDEN — Democratic challenger Jorge Cabrera pulled out a victory Nov. 3 to unseat state Sen. George Logan in the 17th District seat.

The race was a rematch of the 2018 contest, in which Logan defeated Cabrera by 85 votes, according to the Secretary of the State’s website.

On election night, early unofficial results showed Logan leading by a slim margin, but votes were still coming in and neither candidate declared victory. The district includes Beacon Falls, Ansonia, Bethany, Derby and parts of Naugatuck, Hamden and Woodbridge.

Cabrera, 46, of Hamden, declared victory Nov. 4 after the final absentee votes were tallied.

Cabrera won his first term in the state Senate with nearly 52% of the vote, according to unofficial results. He received 24,799 votes to Logan’s 23,119.

Cabrera said that he stayed engaged with voters in the district the last two years and that made the difference this election.

“I kept talking to them about the issues,” Cabrera said.

In a statement released by his campaign, Cabrera said he had countless conversations with residents in the district.

“In the process, I have learned so much about your passions, concerns, dreams and fears. I have met your families, neighbors, friends and pets. Your stories moved me and gave me the inspiration I needed to keep campaigning. You reminded me why I decided to run in the first place,” he said.

Cabrera, who is a business representative for the United Food Commercial Workers Local 919, said he met single mothers who struggle with childcare costs and seniors who have to decide between paying rent and buying prescription medicine. He said he’ll take those stories to Hartford and work so that everyone will have the opportunity to prosper.

Cabrera said he plans to find common-sense solutions to issues and to represent the whole district.

In a message on his campaign’s Facebook page, Cabrera reached out to voters who did not support him.

Republican state Sen. George Logan, R-17th District, left, talks with Beacon Falls resident Doug Bousquet while campaigning Tuesday at Laurel Ledge Elementary School in Beacon Falls. -ANDREAS YILMA

“I hope over the next couple of years to earn your support. Please know that I will be a state senator for all of the state Senate District 17 — Republicans, Democrats, Independents, Unaffiliated voters,” he said.

Logan, 51, of Ansonia, was seeking his third term in office. Logan, who is the director of community relations at Aquarion Water Co., said he’s enjoyed the experience and to plans remain involved in the community.

“It’s been great in terms of working with a group of such wonderful legislators, staff and especially everyone in our community to help improve the lives of folks living in the 17th Senate District and to fix Connecticut,” he said. “For now, I will continue my community service work at the local level.”

Editor’s note: This story was updated Nov. 6.