There was “no stoppin’” a sound truck in the 92nd General Assembly District Tuesday. But candidate who hired the truck was stopped cold at the polls.
The sound truck bore the face of Sergio Rodriguez, one of two candidates in a Democratic Party primary for the state representative seat in the district, which includes New Haven’s Edgewood, Westville, and West River neighborhoods.
And it blasted the McFadden & Whitehead 1979 disco hit “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now”—and then a recorded message from Rodriguez. Click on the play arrow to watch.
Rodriguez was challenging State Rep. Pat Dillon, who has represented the district since 1985.
Jay Dockendorf Photo
Dillon (pictured) beat back the challenge handily. With all precincts reporting, she defeated Rodriguez 1,423 to 757 on the voting machines.
A total of 288 absentee ballots were taken out by voters in the district, not enough to affect the outcome.
Dillon hugged supporter Eliezer Greer and her son Patrick as the overwhelming results were announced in Ward 25’s Edgewood School, where she won by a five-to-one margin.
“People have been incredibly generous,” Dillon proclaimed. “The tough part of this election had been the weather. We’re fortunate. We’re very fortunate.”
Voters responded to Dillon’s message that her experience and knowledge of the issues, as well as her history of working with groups in her district, count for something in Hartford.
Rodriguez drew support form people seeking a fresh face and change in Hartford. Rodriguez captured the Westville ward that he represents on New Haven’s Board of Aldermen.
Here’s the vote breakdown:
Ward 23/ Berger Apartments: Dillon 180, Rodriguez 136.
Ward 24/ Ellsworth Firehouse: Dillon 204, Rodriguez 132.
Ward 25/ Edgewood School: Dillon 552, Rodriguez 110.
Ward 26/ Mauro Sheridan School: Rodriguez 281, Dillon 253.
Ward 27/ Mitchell Library: Dillon 234, Rodriguez 98.
Also on Tuesday, some of Rodriguez’s campaign workers were doing double duty. Gary Stewart and another worker passing out Rodriguez leaflets at the Ellsworth Street firehouse polling station said they were pulling votes for two candidates, Rodriguez and gubernatorial candidate Ned Lamont.