Rep. Patricia Billie Miller wore African-inspired attire last week during a debate over a bill aimed at prohibiting discrimination against Black women over natural hair styles. mark Pazniokas
Rep. Patricia Billie Miller wore African-inspired attire last week during a debate over a bill aimed at prohibiting discrimination against Black women over natural hair styles. mark Pazniokas

Rep. Patricia Billie Miller, D-Stamford, won the special election Tuesday for the state Senate seat vacated by Carlo Leone, who resigned to the join the administration of Gov. Ned Lamont, a Senate Democratic spokesman said.

Miller faced Republican Joshua Esses and a third-party candidate, Brian Merlen.

Miller’s election will return the Senate Democratic majority to the 24-12 advantage won in November. Her departure from the House will narrow the Democratic majority to 96-53.

House Democrats won a 97-54 majority in November, but Rep. J.P. Sredzinksi, R-Monroe, recently resigned and Miller will resign once the special election results are certified.

There will be two special elections this spring to fill the House vacancies.

Mark is the Capitol Bureau Chief and a co-founder of CT Mirror. He is a frequent contributor to WNPR, a former state politics writer for The Hartford Courant and Journal Inquirer, and contributor for The New York Times.

Leave a comment