Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman stands to directly influence legislative matters, now that the Democrat will be the likely tie-breaker vote in the state Senate.
With Republicans picking up three seats in the state Senate on Election Day, the chamber will now be made up 18 Democrats and 18 Republicans.
As the presiding officer of the Senate, Wyman has the authority to break ties, giving the remaining Democratic senators the edge.
Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy called for unity in a post-election statement, saying he will invite legislative leaders from both parties to start informal discussions about how to “move forward together” and “make progress.”
“Here in Connecticut, we are presented with a unique opportunity to once again lead by example for our nation,” Malloy said. “In recent years, we have come together across party lines on many important issues. Now, with a different dynamic at play in the legislature, we have an opportunity and even an obligation to work even better together, to find even more common ground.”
The GOP picked up three seats Tuesday — the winners included Heather Somers of Groton, Len Suzio of Meriden George Logan of Hamden — formerly headed by Democrats, erasing Democrats’ slight Senate majority.
In the House, Democrats are expecting to retain a likely slim 79-72 majority, depending on two races that may be subject to recounts, according to published reports.
