By Michael Korvyakov
Earlier this summer, Alex Kasser resigned as the 36th district state senator after serving for about seven months. A special election race began to fill the seat. Alexis Gevanter earned the nomination of the Democratic Party, and Ryan Fazio — who lost to Kasser by 2.8% of the vote in the 2020 election — received the nomination of the Republican party. John Blankley, who initially ran for the nomination of the Democratic Party, withdrew his name from consideration and chose to run as a petition candidate instead.
Blankley campaigned on practical solutions, including a plan to shift shipping methods from motor vehicles to ships to mitigate traffic and increase efficiency. Fazio emphasized cutting taxes, improving education, and shifting power to a local level. He earned the endorsements of the Greenwich Police Department, as well as the CT Association of Realtors. Gevanter ran on a platform of public safety and prosperity, and pushed for stricter gun laws, citing her work at “Moms Demand Action.” Gevanter secured the endorsements of numerous elected Democratic officials, including governor Ned Lamont, Congressman Jim Himes, Senator Chris Murphy, and Senator Richard Blumenthal.
Throughout the numerous debates, the candidates discussed issues from Critical Race Theory to tax policy. Fazio proposed the need for change due to the uniquely high tax burdens on citizens and Connecticut’s dying industry. Gevanter took a different view, pointing out Connecticut’s potential for economic growth and the need to tackle systemic issues. Blankley, avoiding political crossfire, took positions on both sides of the aisle. Citizens were given the opportunity to vote on August 17th at the polling locations, or via absentee ballot — an option given to all voters due to the ongoing pandemic.
Following the race, Gevanter and Blankley issued statements congratulating Fazio and expressing their thoughts on the campaign. Blankley, who stayed clear of party politics in his campaign, said in a statement directly following the election that he believed “partisan politics were strongly obscuring the people’s purpose.” Though receiving just 2.3% of the vote, Blankley was “proud of [the] campaign,” and saw it as “an indication that there are voices that want to be heard and who are not properly represented by either of the major parties.”
In her statement, Alexis Gevanter expressed her disappointment at how short the campaign was. Nonetheless, she congratulated Fazio and encouraged everyone to remain involved in the community. She ended on a positive note, reaffirming her commitment to “the values that make our community the thriving, inclusive, and caring place we are all proud to call home.”
During his victory speech at his campaign headquarters, Senator-elect Ryan Fazio addressed the crowd to thank those who contributed to his campaign and to share his vision for the future. “I have to thank the voters of my home district who put their faith in me in this race. It is an honor that I will never forget,” he said. He finished his campaign speech by saying, “Today we celebrate, and tomorrow we get to work.” His priority when he gets into office will be to “listen to [his] constituents and solve individual needs and challenges in our community,” and to “find common ground with people across the aisle.”
In a statement following the release of the results, Senate Republican Leader Kevin Kelly (R-Stratford) said, “[Ryan Fazio] will be a tireless and energetic advocate for his constituents and for making our state a place where all people can access good-paying jobs, support their families, and build a brighter future for themselves and their loved ones.”
