Updated: Marx reelected in 20th District state Senate race
Nov. 5—Voters in the 20th District reelected Democratic state Sen. Martha Marx to a second term in office with unofficial ballot tallies showing her defeating her Republican challenger, Shaun Mastroianni, by more than 6,000 votes.
Vote totals from the district, which covers Bozrah, East Lyme, New London, Old Lyme, Salem, Waterford and parts of Montville and Old Saybrook, showed Marx with 27,875 votes to Mastroianni's 21,762, according to the Connecticut Secretary of the State's election page.
Marx projected optimism from her East Lyme campaign headquarters on Main Street late Tuesday night, where volunteers fielded calls from poll watchers relaying district ballot results.
"I'm cautiously optimistic I'm going to be victorious," Marx said, noting unofficial counts had her winning Old Saybrook. "I did a very good job my first term and the Democrats are a well-oiled machine."
Mastroianni's campaign manager Hannah Lemek, who awaited vote returns with her candidate at the Flanders Fish Market & Restaurant in East Lyme, said the campaign was "feeling good" but was awaiting more vote numbers.
"There's numbers coming in, but early voting started very late in some towns," Lemek said. "But there's some good numbers coming in."
Both Marx and Mastroianni vowed during their campaigns to address those constituent wallet-and-purse issues, such as high electric bills and climbing housing costs, if sent to Hartford by voters.
Marx, a 61-year-old New London resident who's worked as a registered nurse for 39 years, was first elected to state office in 2022 after defeating her Republican challenger, Jerry Labriola Jr., with 52.25% of the vote.
Marx's win was preceded by back-to-back losses to former Republican Sen. Paul Formica, who retired ahead of the 2022 election.
New London resident Julia Kushigian said she cast her ballot for Marx, who she said best represented the interests of working-class residents.
"That's her strongest suit," Kushigian said. "She knows about sacrificing for children and creating the best possible future for them. She's not a politician; she's someone who won't get elected and just sit back and relax."
Mastroianni, a 43-year-old Old Lyme resident, is the chief operating officer of the nonprofit senior living organization Connecticut Baptist Homes Inc.
Mastroianni supporter Gina Phillips of New London said she watched the Republican educate himself on issues related to high energy and fuel costs.
"He also manages two healthcare facilities that employ 170 to 180 nurses," Phillips said. "He's actually an administrator, and having that kind of background in Hartford will make a big difference."
Mastroianni, a former six-year member of the Board of Warden and Burgesses in Stonington Borough, in 2018 ran an unsuccessful bid as a Republican against state Rep. Kate Rotella, D-Stonington.
