HARTFORD – Gov. Dan Malloy spoke to reporters Wednesday and claimed victory in the contentious race for governor.
He was introduced by Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman to chants of “Four more years,” and he thanked all the people who worked on a campaign.
He said there were plans for his next term in place, focusing on education, infrastructure, and other issues and said he had plans for new taxes. “I’ve got things that need to be done.”
He pledged to fully fund the state retirement plans, but said he would not roll back any of the gun legislation enacted in his first term.
Republican Tom Foley sent an email early in the afternoon to supporters they came close but did not succeed in their effort to unseat the Democrat.
Thank you for your support with my campaign for governor. We came very close. Our appeal for change in Connecticut – pro-growth policies including lower taxes, more responsible spending, and more support for job creators – was endorsed by more than 48% of Connecticut voters. Governor Malloy won this election with fewer votes than we won in 2010.
With 95 percent of precincts reporting on Wednesday afternoon, Malloy is leading with 50.5 percent of the vote, compared to 48.5 percent for Foley.
Foley said his campaign fared better in cities than he did in 2010 when he first lost to Malloy, but lost ground elsewhere because of what he called “relentless negative advertising.”
The two had been in a tight race for months, with Foley looking to avenge his narrow loss to Malloy in 2010.
