Somers leading Lt. Governor race

Heather Bond Somers during a visit to Greenwich in February. Credit: Keelin Daly/Stamford Advocate

Heather Bond Somers during a visit to Greenwich in February. Credit: Keelin Daly/Stamford Advocate

HARTFORD – Former Groton Mayor Heather Somers holds a narrow lead over two challengers for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor, state election officials said.

With all of the votes counted, Somers has 27,083 votes, compared to 26,312 for six-term state Rep. Penny Bacchiochi of Stafford and 25,026 for former U.S. Comptroller David Walker of Bridgeport.

Av Harris, a spokesman for Secretary of State Denise Merrill, said officials are double checking the numbers and plan to formally announce the results later today. If the totals hold, Somers would be the GOP nominee, he said.

An automatic recount would be held if the vote difference is within a half percent of total votes, which in this election amounts to 393 votes, Harris said.

Bill Cummings