Candelora, Perillo to sit on Committee to Review Contested 120th Race

A four-person committee created Wednesday by members of the state’s House of Representatives to review the circumstances that caused 76 residents of Stratford’s 120^th District to receive the wrong Election Day ballots will issue its findings by February 4^th. The race between incumbent Democrat Phil Young and Republican Jim Feehan was decided by just 13 votes, and House Republican Leader Themis Klarides explained to members of the chamber Wednesday how important the work of this bipartisan committee is ensuring Stratford voters weren’t disenfranchised. Rep. Klarides said, "This year Rule 19 is of special importance because we have a contested election in the 120th district.  Pursuant to Rule 19 the committee on contested elections will take into consideration the contested election and report the facts of the contest along with their opinion back to the House.  I look forward this committee working to find a fair resolution to the election in the 120th that will ensure that no members of the public will be disenfranchised and denied their ability to vote for their own state representative." The committee includes Representatives Vincent Candelora, Jason Perillo, Mike D'Agostino and Gregg Haddad. It will hold its first meeting Friday at 3:00 p.m. in room 1B of the Legislative Office Building. “I look forward to serving on this committee to make sure the integrity of the process occurs and voters were not disenfranchised,” said State Representative Vincent Candelora. "We need to take this committee very seriously and work bipartisanly to find a solution," said Rep. Perillo. "If voters were disenfranchised then a new election must occur. Every vote should count!" Connecticut’s Supreme Court took up the issue after Feehan filed suit over the controversy. Justices said House members were responsible for handling the Stratford voting controversy, which incumbent Young—sent to Hartford in a special election last winter—has acknowledged is a problem.