Brenda Kupchick called it a gentlemans race, and if that was inaccurate, her meaning was clear. The Kupchick-Chris DeSanctis contest for the Republican nomination in the General Assemblys 132nd District was spirited but civil.
Kupchick, a longtime community activist and third-generation Fairfield resident, emerged with a 206-178 victory over DeSanctis, after the paper ballots were tallied Tuesday night in the gymnasium at Roger Sherman School.
Im excited, Kupchick beamed, after she emerged from a brief meeting with DeSanctis in the gymnasium corridor. We talked last night We both agreed wed help each other, no matter which of us won. Were going to beat Tom Drew in November. Drew, a Democrat, will be seeking his fourth two-year term in the state House.
Kupchick won three of the five voting districts within the 132nd: District 5, 19-14; District 6, 39-15, and District 8, 48-29. DeSanctis, however, had a clear-cut 63-43 majority in District 10, and they tied at 57 votes apiece in District 1.
I wish we had another seat, because theyre both excellent candidates, Republican Town Committee Chairman Jim Baldwin said after announcing the voting.
Since she became active in her sons elementary school some 14 years ago, Kupchick has become increasingly visible. She is a District 6 member of the RTM and a former member of the Board of Education. She and her husband, Pete, own and operate a heating and air conditioning business, but Brenda sharpens her political skills with part-time work in state Sen. John McKinneys (R-28) office in Hartford.
Kupchick attributes Connecticuts massive debt, runaway spending and unemployment, in large measure, to a completely lopsided legislature. Theres no compromise. Theyre just ramming through what the supermajority wants.
A Republican win, she declared, is what we need.
DeSanctis, an adjunct professor of political science at Sacred Heart University and a fund-raiser at a private school, lost to Drew in the 2006 election. Last night, he was gracious in defeat. It was a great race between two factions of the party, he said. Im excited about Brendas candidacy.
Would he consider challenging Kupchick in a primary? DeSanctis said he would have to consult with his campaign committee, but admitted, Its not likely.
Kupchick thanked her supporters, including her father and Jamie Millington, the RTM majority leader and her campaign manager.
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