Democratic attorney general candidate George Jepsen optimistic

Democratic attorney general candidate George Jepsen arrived about 9:45 p.m.  at The Society Room in Hartford. During a brief interview with reporters, Jepsen said he is optimistic about the early returns in the race, but he wants to see results from some of the larger cities before he declares victory.

“It could be soon,” said Jepsen, a Ridgefield resident. “Within the hour.”

According to the latest results available, Jepsen is leading GOP candidate Martha Dean, 51 percent to 46 percent, with about 14 percent of precincts reporting.

Jepsen said voters saw a late lawsuit filed by his opponent for what it is: “a last minute hail Mary pass.” Dean filed the lawsuit in Hartford Superior Court late last week claiming Jepsen wasn’t qualified for the job, citing a recent Connecticut Supreme Court ruling.

Jepsen said he is more than qualified.

A spokesman for the Dean camp said at around 10 p.m., that they remain hopeful, especially given that 85 percent of the precincts have yet to report their results.

Dirk Perrefort