New London — Democrat Anthony Nolan, who sought a fourth two-year term in office this November, has won the Connecticut 39th District state House race handily with roughly 77% of the vote as of 9 p.m.

Nolan, who received 3,210 votes, was challenged by Beloved Grace Carter, a Republican who unsuccessfully sought to unseat Michael Passero as the city’s mayor last year. Carter garnered 751 votes Tuesday evening.

The 39th District encompasses the city’s first and second voting districts. Its third district is represented by the state’s 40th District.

Nolan, a retired city police officer and former City Council president, ran on a platform of lowering electric bills, expanding education funding and addressing the state’s housing and homelessness crisis.

He expressed gratitude to the voters and said he will continue to represent his constituents, including those who did not support him.

“I’m just grateful the community came together like they did to send me back,” Nolan said Tuesday evening.

The results reflect a largely Democratic voter base in New London. Jennifer Deeter said she voted Democrat in all of Tuesday’s races but one, in which she voted for the Green Party candidate. Her top issue was democracy.

“I’m hopeful and a little anxious,” Deeter said. “Democracy I think is important. I think that a lot of people have forgotten what it actually means for us.”

Carter, a former pastry chef and retired director of the New London Breakfast Program, has not previously held elected office. She campaigned with a focus on values and unity over party affiliation.

“I’m always optimistic until I do hear the final count,” Carter said on a call Tuesday night.

t.wright@theday.com