A new ‘blue wave?’ Democrats notch big wins on election night, but GOP isn’t worried
Connecticut Democrats flipped more than two dozen communities on Tuesday. But Republicans don't think it spells trouble for them in 2026.
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Connecticut Democrats are taking a victory lap after scoring big wins on election night – not just statewide, but across the country.
More than two dozen cities and towns flipped from red to blue leadership, while the party notched key victories in other states.
So, is this the start of a new “blue wave?”
Not so fast, Republicans insisted.
BIG WINS FOR DEMS
Democrat David Chess pulled off the seemingly impossible. A political newcomer, the longtime physician and businessman toppled veteran Republican Laura Hoydick to become Stratford’s next mayor.
“The messaging was around building community, going forward, having a plan, having a vision,” Chess said. “I’m hoping that it sends a real message that we do believe in democracy, that democracy matters, that we care about our community.”
That message propelled dozens of Democrats to victories across Connecticut.
In addition to Stratford, the party recaptured mayor and first selectman spots in 28 other communities – including Westport, Milford, Ansonia and New Britain. Democrats also took control of three town councils.
“When we talk about helping people, when we talk about feeding kids, and we show that with Democrats like the governor are doing to help our families, we win big,” said Connecticut Democratic Party chair Roberto Alves, who won his own reelection bid in Danbury despite ongoing cancer treatment.
TROUBLE FOR GOP?
Nationally, Democrats also scored big wins in New York City, New Jersey and Virginia – partly due to frustration over President Donald Trump. And California voters approved new redistricting maps meant to favor Democrats
“Hear me, President Trump, when I say this. To get to any of us, you will have to get through all of us,” said Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic Socialist elected mayor of New York.
But will 2025’s wins help Democrats in 2026, when the governor’s office and five congressional seats are up for grabs?
The head of the state Republican Party doesn’t think so.
“Local races are won and lost on local issues,” said Connecticut GOP chair Ben Proto. “In a lot of places, there were a lot of underlying local issues in play.”
Proto’s party was only able to flip one first selectman seat in Easton – and that race is headed to a recount after Republican David Lent won by just six votes.
2026 LOOMING
If you’re sick of all the political ads, you won't get much of a break. In the next two weeks, Gov. Ned Lamont is expected to formally launch his reelection campaign.
“We’ve got the make the case, ‘This is what we’ve done. We’ve made community college free. This is what we’ve done. We reduced your, you know, income tax for middle class families,'” Lamont told reporters. “We’ve done a good job in this state of holding down taxes and I think people have some confidence in the local mayors to do the same thing.”
One Republican, state Sen. Ryan Fazio (R-Greenwich), is already in the governor’s race. And outgoing New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart is exploring a run.
If the race is about affordability, Proto thinks his party has the edge.
“We have one of the most unaffordable states in the country due to Democrat policies,” he said. “We have the highest electric rates in the country due to Democrat policies. We have the highest tax structure in the country due to Democrat policies.”
