Republican incumbent Doug Dubitsky will return to Hartford to represent the 47th House District for a third term, defeating repeat Democratic challenger Kate Donnelly 5,836 to 4,343.

The district includes nine largely rural towns stretching from Chaplin to the northern tip of Norwich, which voted 699 to 658 in favor of Donnelly.

Dubitsky said statewide the election was a "bloodbath" for Republicans, and he's concerned about how the legislature is going to fix itself fiscally with continued Democratic leadership.

"I'm certainly hoping we can convince the majority party that the economy needs to be addressed," he said. "Everything relies on that."

Donnelly said she wasn't sure whether she would run again but was happy to see Democratic leadership retained at the state level. She hopes to see the legislature focus on health care access, education and the economy in the coming term to make the state an attractive place for people to live, work and raise families.

Both noted the importance of meeting with their constituents and bringing their concerns to the state level.