Maynard routs GOP rival amid questions over his condition
Despite questions about whether he will be able to carry out his duties representing the 18th District when the legislature opens its session on Jan. 7, voters on Tuesday overwhelmingly re-elected Democratic state Sen. Andrew Maynard of Stonington to a fifth term.
Maynard, who remains hospitalized after suffering a serious brain injury in a fall at his Stonington home in July, defeated Groton Republican Kevin Trejo.
Maynard defeated Trejo by close to 1,900 votes in Groton, 400 in Griswold, 147 in North Stonington, 1,666 in Stonington and 193 in Preston.
Adam Joseph, who has been acting as the Maynard family spokesman, said he hoped to issue a statement late Tuesday night. He did not have vote totals from all the towns.
Trejo, who was at the Republican headquarters in Groton, said he may not know the results until this morning as he did not have volunteers in the eight towns reporting results back to him.
Trejo had raised no campaign funds and did little campaigning. The Oct. 30 debate between the two was canceled because of Maynard’s condition. Maynard did not vote on Tuesday and had not requested an absentee ballot.
Maynard’s family had denied requests from The Day over the past few months to interview him and the doctors and therapists treating him at the Hospital for Special Care in New Britain. The last statement from Maynard’s family came Oct. 14, when it said it was their “genuine belief” that he would be able to serve based on his progress.
If Maynard cannot fulfill his duties and decides to resign, it would cost the eight towns in the district a total of approximately $70,000 to hold a special election. Such an election would not take place until after the legislative session is over, meaning the eight towns would not have representation in the state Senate during the session.
j.wojtas@theday.com
Twitter: @joewojtas
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