Klarides Wins Re-Election

Themis Klarides isn't going anywhere.

The representative for Connecticut's 114th district (Orange, Woodbridge and Derby) won re-election handily Tuesday night.

Klarides celebrated her win at the Orange Republican Headquarters at Firelite Plaza.

""I feel like I say the same thing every time I win, but I really do take this so seriously," she told Patch. "It's an honor to be able to run and have the people trust you enough to re-elect you. It's one thing the first time, but then you have to actually live up to your promises … It's the eighth time people believe I've lived up to my promises, and have done a good job for this district and the state. So I'm very excited about it."

In Woodbridge, Aldon Hynes said he called Klarides to congratulate her on her re-election.

"Mostly, I'm feeling pretty tired -- it's a lot of work to run for state rep," he said. "But I'm also feeling pretty good. In a lot of ways, I accomplished what I set out to do -- make sure we have a competitive and friendly election, and that we talked about the issues, which is a good thing for the people of our district."

In Orange

• Themis Klarides (R) 2,630
• Aldon Hynes (D) 1,114

In Woodbridge

• Themis Klarides (R) 2,860
• Aldon Hynes (D) 2,095
  
   

Update: 10:00 p.m.

Klarides has won in Orange. Full vote results on the way.

Update: 6:45 p.m.

As the final hour of voting in Orange, Woodbridge and Derby rolls in, Themis Klarides is staying positive, but focused.

"I feel optimistic," she says. "But I always feel optimistic. But I always run my race as if I'm behind."

Klarides will view election results from the Republican Headquarters at Firelite Plaza in Orange. Hynes will view from a private residence in Woodbridge.

At Democratic headquarters in Orange, the checkers -- who establish which local Democrats made it to polling places to vote -- are starting to return. It signals the beginning of the last lap of the night.

Update: 12:45 p.m.

While greeting voters outside Mary L. Tracy school in Orange, Aldon Hynes told Patch he was "cautiously optimistic" about the race.

"I'm feeling really good. Everyone is so excited to be out in the beautiful weather voting. This is what democracy's about. It's great," he said.

He acknowledged the race was challenging.

"I'm going against a seven-term, well-liked incumbent," he said. "It's a difficult battle, but everyone's been so supportive."

Update: 9:30 a.m.

State Rep. Themis Klarides and challenger Aldon Hynes are rotating polling places in Orange, Woodbridge and Derby this morning.

Klarides appeared at Mary L. Tracy School to greet voters at 8:00 this morning, while Hynes was stumping with First Selectman Edward Maum Sheehy in Woodbridge.

Both candidates expect to spend most of today at polling places. Hynes, a Woodbridge resident, voted in his town at around 7:30 after meeting voters.

Click above to see closing statements from both candidates at Patch's October 22 state representative debates.

Two candidates in the race for State Representative for Connecticut's 114th assembly district, which includes Orange, Woodbridge and Derby.

Themis Klarides (R)

Klarides is in her seventh term as State Representative for the district. She serves as Deputy Republican Leader in the state house, as well as holding posts on numerous committees including Appropriations and Judiciary committees. In addition to her political career, she is an attorney for Cohen and Wolf in Orange.

Earlier this year, she served as a delegate to the Republican Convention in Tampa, Florida and appeared briefly on The Daily Show.

Education: B.A. in Political Science, Trinity College; Quinnipiac School of Law

Lives in: Derby

Twitter: @RepTKlarides

Closing statement:

"Don't spend more than you make, don't borrow more than you can afford to pay back. If it's not broken, don't fix it, but if it's broken, get rid of it. The more government does, the less it does well, and we should have all the government we need but only the government we need."

Aldon Hynes (D)

Hynes is a blogger and the social media manager for the Community Health Center, a statewide organization with 13 locations across Connecticut. A Woodbridge resident, he has emphasized health care and education in his campaign. A first-time nominee, Hynes worked on Vermont Gov. Howard Dean's 2004 presidential campaign and Ned Lamont's 2006 Senate campaign. His wife Kim ran for State Representative in Stamford in 2004.

Education: Studied Philosophy at the College of Wooster in Ohio

Lives in: Woodbridge

Twitter: @HynesCT2012

Closing Statement:

"I hope that when people go out and vote, they will be able to vote in this district for not the lesser of two evils, but for the better of two candidates. I would like to encourage everyone to stay involved ... There's all kinds of places to be more involved in your community, whether it's your schools, your places of worship, fraternal organizations ... Be more involved, because that's what this is really all about."