Rep. Patricia Billie Miller wins vacant Senate seat

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.

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.