SHELTON, CT — State Rep. Jason Perillo, R-Shelton, beat Stratford Town Councilman Tony Afriyie, D, by an unofficial tally of 6,806 to 5,942 (53.39 to 46.61 percent) in a special election to fill Connecticut’s 21st Senatorial District seat Tuesday night.
The seat became available after longtime Republican legislator Kevin Kelly resigned to pursue an opportunity to serve as a Connecticut Superior Court judge.
Both candidates performed well in their hometown’s with Afriyie winning Stratford by 886 votes and Perillo winning Shelton by 1,588 votes. Then Perillo held Afriyie off, taking Monroe by 17 and Seymour by 145.
Perillo attended a watch party with fellow Republicans at Brownson Country Club in Shelton with his wife, Becky, and their 11-year-old daughter, Lydia.
After the results were tallied, the senator-elect spoke to the guests who crowded into the large dining room.
“We talk about family. We talk about longevity and we talk about how relationships and loyalty really matter,” Perillo said, while holding a microphone.
He told the story of how John Anglace, 94, approached him three weeks ago, asking for 100 lawn signs for his neighborhood. Anglace was an ally to Perillo’s grandfather when his grandfather, Vincent Tisi Jr., was Shelton’s mayor.
“Fast forward 50 years, and John Anglace is an ally to me today,” Perillo said. “So it’s those longtime friendships, those relationships, that loyalty — that’s why we win. We’re always a team and we can always count on one another, not just from year-to-year, not just from-decade-to-decade, but from generation to generation.”
“And I think that’s what separates us here in the 21st District, that we just work so very well together and we’re so honest with one another. It matters,” he said of why Republicans have represented the 21st District since 1967.
Perillo thanked everyone who helped him along the way, especially his family.
“And also, I want to thank my opponent, who I came to know during the course of this race and really proved to be a nice, genuine guy who truly worked hard,” he said of Afriyie. “We have to give credit where credit is due, so I want to recognize him and I want to thank him for the race that he ran.”
The watch party was attended by officials of the State Republican Party, and several Republican state senators and representatives, including State Rep. Tony Scott, R-Monroe, and GOP leaders of several surrounding towns, including Monroe First Selectman Terry Rooney.
Afriyie’s statement
Afriyie released the following statement Tuesday night:
I want to begin by expressing my heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported my campaign, who volunteered their time, and who believed in the vision we shared for a brighter future. I’m grateful to my team, led by Karen Tracy and Kathleen Callahan, two women who have done unbelievable work to organize Democrats in Stratford. This journey has been one of growth, learning, and connection, and I will always be grateful for the opportunity to serve and listen to the concerns of so many in our community.
While the outcome was not as we hoped, I am proud of the campaign we ran. We engaged in thoughtful conversations, raised important issues, and inspired so many people to get involved in the political process. We made this race tight and we won every single precinct in Stratford, and that’s because voters are tired of politics as usual.
So many people want to see a new generation of leaders who will bring real solutions to affordable housing, utility costs, investing in infrastructure and young people. I will continue to support our community in any way I can and remain committed to the causes and values that brought me to this race.
As a Stratford resident and town councilor, I hope Representative Perillo serves us faithfully as State Senator.
To my supporters and volunteers, this is not the end. This is the beginning of a continued fight for progress, fairness, and equality. I look forward to working alongside each of you in the future, and together we will continue to work toward a better tomorrow.
Thank you again to everyone who believed in me and the ideas we fought for. We may not have won this election, but the movement we have started will continue to grow.
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Jason has done a good job for the city of Shelton securing a five million dollar grant to extend Constitution at exit thirteen on Route eight. He ha been a public and dedicated public servant.
Congratulations.
Yes let’s elect the guy who’s been in Hartford for a decade and voted for the bill that created the public benefit charge and do nothing to fix it.