While all eyes will be on the battle for the White House Tuesday, voters will also have a lot of say about the balance of power in the Greater Danbury area with an open congressional seat and several open seats for the state legislature.
For the first time in more than two decades the 5th Congressional District is without an incumbent as U.S Rep. Chris Murphy has put his name in the hat for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by U.S Sen. Joseph Lieberman.
The open congressional seat has attracted more than $16 million in spending by both the campaigns and outside groups hoping to influence the election, making it one of the most expensive races in the state’s history and the fourth most expensive congressional race this year in the United States.
State Sen. Andrew Roraback of Goshen, a Republican and former state Rep. Elizabeth Esty, a Democrat from Chesire, have been locked in a tight battle in recent months for the congressional seat.
Murphy of course has also been in a heated battle of his own for open U.S. Senate seat with former wrestling executive Linda McMahon, who has spent millions of her own fortunes in the hopes of representing the state’s residents in Washington D.C.
There are also several hotly contested state legislative seats in the area including the 24th district state Senate seat. State Sen. Michael McLachlan is hoping for a third term while former state Rep. Jason Bartlett is hoping to oust the lawmaker in the hopes of returning to Hartford. The district represents Danbury, Sherman, New Fairfield and parts of Bethel.
State Rep. Joseph Taborsak’s departure from politics meanwhile has left an open seat in the 109th state house district that represents Danbury.
Two relative political newcomers, David Arconti Jr., a Democrat who ran unsuccessful for a City Council seat last year, and Republican Andrew Wetmore who currently serves on the council. have been battling it out for the opportunity to represent voters of the 24th district.