Special election scheduled in Backer’s district

A special election will be held Feb. 2 in the 121st House District of Stratford to choose a successor to Rep. Terry Backer, D-Stratford, who died Monday night, the secretary of the state’s office said Friday.

The regular session for 2016 begins Feb. 3.

Backer, who died of complications from brain cancer, was buried Friday. He won the seat in 1992.

Democrats now hold an 86-64 advantage in the House, with one vacancy.