Windsor Residents Vie for Seats on Election Day

While two races for federal office are too close to call (the presidential race and Connecticut's senate race for Joe Lieberman's soon-to-be-vacated seat), Windsor residents may be keeping an eye on the results of local elections, as two of their neighbors could win seats when votes are cast Tuesday.

In the fifth assembly district (Windsor, Hartford), Republican Paul Panos is taking on Democrat Brandon McGee, who was recently declared the victor in an historic primary battle for the party's nomination.

McGee defeated Windsor's Leo Canty in a race that included two recanvasses, one election hearing and two days of ballot casting.

McGee and Panos are vying for the fifth district seat, which will be vacated by incumbent Marie Kirkley-Bey, who announced her retirement earlier this year.

Panos is a member of the Windsor board of education and has served as a local public official for over a decade. He was the Republican party's only candidate for the seat, and was endoresed by his party early on.

Malvi Lennon, a small business owner and Windsor resident, is facing long-time incumbent Eric Coleman in the race for the 2nd senatorial seat (Windsor, Bloomfield, Hartford). 

This race presents the juxtaposition of the old and new, as Coleman is one of the state's longest-sitting elected officials and Lennon, if elected, would be seated for the first time.

Coleman, at Windsor's recent Meet the Candidates Night at town hall, said he is looking to continue job growth in the state, while Lennon, who said the American Dream is "slipping away," is focusing on restructring the tax base and building a positive business climate for small-business owners.

Lennon and Panos, both Republicans, are the only Windsor residents running for state office this election season.

All seven polling places in Windsor will be open from 6 a.m. - 8 p.m. on Tues., Nov. 6.

Click here to view our guide to voting in Windsor.