Perez prevails in Hartford; Finch edges Caruso
Perez beat three challengers in the Democratic primary, taking about 49 percent of the vote. His nearest challenger, I. Charles Mathews, had about 29 percent of the vote, according to unofficial results.
"Hartford Democrats have loudly and clearly said 'No' to the politics of the old and we want to continue the progress we've made as a community together," Perez said at his victory party.
It was much closer in the Bridgeport Democratic primary, where state Sen. Bill Finch declared victory over opponent state Rep. Chris Caruso.
Finch had 4,537 votes, while Caruso received 4,267 votes, city officials said Wednesday.
Caruso refused to concede Tuesday night, claiming there were voting irregularities and saying he planned to challenge the results.
"We will be back again," Caruso told supporters. "We already have attorneys down at the town clerk's office gathering the evidence and the information. We will not allow our city to be stolen by a corrupt political machine."
Voters in 23 towns and cities took to the polls Tuesday and, for the first time for many, used the state's new optical scanning machines. Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz said the day went smoothly with few glitches.
The new technology is replacing old lever machines. Bysiewicz says of the 125 precincts only nine had some type of glitch but they were minor and easily resolved. Her office had rapid response teams in various parts of the state ready to help out. There was also extra assistance at the polls.
"We advised all of the registrars to have at least one person to assist in demonstrating or helping voters with the new voting method. Towns were free to have more if they wanted to," Bysiewicz said. "We were delighted. Voters had a very positive experiences."
Bysiewicz said Bridgeport was of particular concern for elections officials with the new machines because it had the most voting places and the most volume. More than 8,000 voters cast ballots there Tuesday.
"In Bridgeport there was a jam in one of the machines, but it was resolved by feeding a blank ballot through," Bysiewicz said.
Bysiewicz says turnout was light earlier in the day but did pick up after the rainy weather subsided. Her office will have complete turnout figures today.
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