Kathleen O’Rourke/Staff photo
By Bill Cummings
HARTFORD — Democratic State Rep. Denise Merrill, a House majority leader who has served in the Legislature for 17 years, won a close victory Saturday to capture the endorsement for secretary of state, beating challenger and State Sen. Jonathan Harris of West Hartford 966 to 826.
In accepting her nomination, Merrill, who is from Mansfield, thanked her supporters and vowed to take the fight to Republicans.
“What a great day to be a Democrat. I am so honored and willing and able and excited to accept your nomination as Connecticut’s next secretary of state,” Merrill said.
“You see what Republicans have done in other states and what our secretary of state has done,” Merrill said, referring to outgoing Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz.
Merrill’s victory came after challenger Gerry Garcia of New Haven dropped out of the race following the first ballot and threw his support to Harris. Merrill prevailed in the second ballot. Garcia said he plans to wage a primary. Harris also qualified to join the primary if he so chooses.