Democrat Bill Heffernan Elected to Represent Connecticut State House District 115
The special election was called after Democrat Dorinda Keenan Borer became Mayor of West Haven.
The special election occurred today to fill a vacancy in the Connecticut House of Representatives. This is the first special election in 2024 for the state’s lower legislative chamber. The Democratic and Republican candidates were chosen by local party leaders.
The special election for Connecticut State House District 115 was called following the resignation of State Representative Dorinda Keenan Borer, a Democrat, to become Mayor of West Haven. She represented this district from February 2017 to December 2023.
Democrat Bill Heffernan has been declared the winner in the special election. The race was called in his favor as he’s currently leading with 55.7% against Republican Silvana Apicella with 22.7% and Independent Ed O’Brien with 21.6%. 1,807 votes have been counted.
Heffernan is a retired firefighter. He is also a member of the West Haven Community House and the city library system boards of directors.
Apicella is an account manager who previously ran for an At-Large district on the West Haven City Council last year.
O’Brien previously served as Mayor of West Haven from 2013 to 2017. He held the office as a Democrat.
Connecticut State House District 115 includes parts of West Haven - with the remainder of the city being covered by Districts 116 and 117.
Once Heffernan is sworn in, Democrats will maintain control of the Connecticut House of Representatives with a 98-53 majority against Republicans. The chamber has no additional vacancies at this time. All 151 seats will be up for regular two-year terms in November 2024.