Connecticut Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy narrowly wins reelection

Incumbent Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, flanked by Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman, left, and his wife, Cathy, concludes a speech to supporters at his party's rally Wednesday in Hartford, Conn.

Nov. 5, 2014 12:57 PM PT

Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy narrowly won reelection Wednesday after an election day marked by polling problems in the state capital and a last-minute court battle in the campaign’s closing hours.

Malloy’s reelection marked a rare win for Democrats on a night when Republicans gained complete control of Congress and also claimed victory in a number of gubernatorial races throughout the country.

Tom Foley, Malloy’s Republican challenger, conceded the election in a letter to supporters Wednesday morning. Malloy was leading Foley, whom he also bested in a white-knuckle 2010 campaign, by 2 percentage points with 97% of precincts reporting.

“Thank you for your support with my campaign for governor. We came very close,” Foley wrote. “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.”

The closing hours of the race were marked by a legal battle after missteps in Hartford, Connecticut’s capital and fourth-largest city, caused a crush of early-morning voters to be turned away from polls.

Election officials failed to bring voter lists to several Hartford polling places Tuesday morning, and a state judge later ordered two polling places in Hartford to remain open late, according to a spokesman for Connecticut Secretary of State Denise Merrill.

The problems also prompted a rebuke from President Obama, who called in to a Connecticut NPR affiliate and urged Hartford voters to return to the polls later Tuesday after they were turned away between 6 and 8 a.m.

Malloy’s win, along with victories for Democratic governors in Colorado and Pennsylvania, marked a rare bright spot during midterm elections that saw the GOP batter Democrats in key Senate races across the country.

Greg Abbott also claimed Texas’ governorship, while Scott Walker and and Rick Scott turned away stiff challenges in Wisconsin and Florida, respectively.

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn was also knocked off by businessman Bruce Rauner, giving the state its first Republican governor in more than a decade.

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