Ten special elections decided Tuesday

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By Tyler Millhouse

Two states, Connecticut and Missouri, held special elections on Tuesday to fill 10 legislative vacancies. One state, South Carolina, held a special election primary. Across the nation, 27 states use special elections to fill legislative vacancies.

The following is a breakdown of Tuesday's special elections:

Connecticut Senate District 6: Terry Gerratana (D) defeated Tim Stewart (R) to fill the 6th District Senate seat.^[1] The vacancy was created when Donald DeFronzo (D) resigned to head the Department of Administrative Services.^[2]

Connecticut Senate District 13: Len Suzio (R) defeated Thomas Bruenn (D) to fill the 13th District Senate seat.^[1] The vacancy was created when Thomas Gaffey (D) left office after pleading guilty to misdemeanor larceny charges.^[2]

Connecticut Senate District 27: Carlo Leone (D) defeated Bob Kolenberg (R) and Rolf Maurer (G) to fill the 27th District Senate seat.^[1] The vancany was created when Andrew McDonald (D) resigned to serve as governor Dan Malloy's chief counsel.^[2]

Connecticut House District 20: Joe Verrengia (D) defeated Allen Hoffman (R) to fill the 20th District House seat.^[1] The vacancy was created when David D. McCluskey (D) resigned to take a position on the Board of Pardon and Paroles.^[2]

Connecticut House District 25: Bobby Sanchez (D) ran unopposed in Tuesday's special election.^[1] The 25th District House seat was vacated when John C. Geragosian (D) resigned to serve as a state auditor.^[2]

Connecticut House District 36: Phil Miller (D) defeated Janet Peckinpaugh (R) to fill the 36th District House seat.^[1] The vacancy was created when James Field Spallone (D) resigned to serve as Deputy Secretary of State.^[2]

Connecticut House District 99: James Albis (D) defeated Linda Monaco (R) to fill the 99th District House seat.^[1] The vacancy was created when Michael Lawlor (D) resigned to serve as Undersecretary for Criminal Justice.^[2]

Connecticut House District 101: Noreen Kokoruda (R) defeated Joan Walker (D) to fill the 101st District House seat.^[1] The vacancy was created when Deborah Heinrich (D) resigned to serve as an advocate for social service agencies.^[2]

Connecticut House District 126: Charlie Stallworth (D) defeated James Keyser (R) to fill the 126th District House seat.^[1] The vacancy was created when Christopher Caruso (D) resigned to serve as Dan Malloy's on housing, urban initiatives, and smart growth.^[2]

Missouri State Senate|Missouri Senate District 9: Shalonn Curls (D) defeated Nola Wood (R) to fill the 9th Senate District seat.^[3] The vacancy was created when Yvonne Wilson (D) announced her resignation on November 2, 2010 (effective December 31, 2010). Wilson, 81, cited a desire to spend more time at home and a need for younger leadership as reasons for her retirement.^[4]

South Carolina Senate District 16: Greg Gregory (R) defeated four other candidates in the February 22 Republican primary. He will face Keith Brann (D) and Stan Smith (L) in the general election. The 16th District was vacated when Michael Mulvaney (R) was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in the November 2 general election.^[5]

Partisan impact

The Republican Party picked up two seats in Tuesday's special elections, both in Connecticut.

	v • e State of Connecticut Hartford (capital)
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	v • e State of Missouri Jefferson City (capital)
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	v • e State of South Carolina Columbia (capital)
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