Newly elected Democrat State Representative Jane Garibay shown with her husband Bernie during a victory party Nov. 6, 2018 at Union Street Tavern in Windsor, CT.

Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com

Elation describes the mood at Union Street Tavern in Windsor, Connecticut Tuesday night November 6, where newly elected State Representative Jane Garibay celebrated with supporters. In a vote of 5,454 – 4,863, Garibay, a Windsor Democrat, unseated one term Republican Scott Storms of Windsor Locks, to represent the district which includes Windsor Locks and part of Windsor.

“It took a great team of people to do this,” Garibay said.

Literally logging tens of thousands of steps, Garibay went door-to-door intent on communicating directly with voters and listening to their concerns firsthand.

“And each time I brought someone with me,” she said of her door-to-door campaign.

Her first time elected to a state level office, Garibay brings a wealth of experience in public service to the position, including tenures as chairman of the Windsor Board of Education, a past Parent Teacher Student Association president, president of the Windsor Education Foundation, which she co-founded, and co-chair of the School Business Partnership which she also co-founded. Her ongoing commitment to education earned her a place on the Connecticut Education Association Honor Roll. Education, she said, will continue to be a priority as she takes on this new challenge at the state capital. Not long ago Garibay wrapped up 19 years as executive director of the Windsor Chamber of Commerce and currently is executive director of First Town Downtown.

In conceding the race, Storms, a lawyer, was quoted as having said, “The voters spoke.”

Jane Garibay is joined at her victory celebration by her sister Carol Engelmann (right) and friend Susan Cardillo.

Windsor, CT Mayor Donald Trinks with Jane Garibay.

Jane and her husband with former state representative Peggy Sayers and Scott Nolan, vice chairman of the Windsor Locks Democrat Town Committe.

“I’m happy for her and the community,” said Bernie Garibay, Jane’s husband.

Fellow Democrat Windsor Mayor Donald Trinks was thrilled with the outcome. “To not only have a Democrat representing Windsor and Windsor Locks, but a Democrat from within the Windsor boundaries,” he noted.

Preparation underway at Windsor Town Hall to post election results. According to the town clerk’s office, 175 same day registration ballots were cast in Windsor.

Karen Hatcher, of the Windsor Democrat Town Committee, was at town hall to gather election results.

Garibay’s win was a milestone for the town of Windsor, which it was said has not had a Democrat state representative from within the town borders in 36 years. Healthcare and taxpayers are also issues critical to Garibay – finding ways to keep current residents and attract new residents into Connecticut. In addition, Garibay ran on a platform emphasizing her reputation for integrity, honesty and hard-work which clearly resonated with voters.

In other results, Democrat Ned Lamont was elected governor of Connecticut defeating Republican Bob Stefanowski. Lamont led a Democrat sweep in the other top statewide positions and the congressional delegation. Stirred perhaps by reaction to presidential politics and policies, across the nation history was made with record mid-term voter turnouts, with the election of at least one hundred women to Congress and the election of among the most diverse group of candidates.