2020 Election 101st CT House District: Parker Defeats Kokoruda

MADISON, CT — Democrat John-Michael Parker defeated incumbent Republican state Rep. Noreen Kokoruda.

Parker beaten Kokoruda, according to the Secretary of State, by a margin of 51% to 45%. Parker got 7,682 votes to Kokoruda's 6,727. But counting the Working and Independent party votes, Parker winds up with a total of 8,240 votes, per the Secretary of State tally.

It wasn't until early Wednesday, after all the absentee ballots had been counted, that a winner was declared. As of Tuesday night just before midnight, with Parker had 1,355 votes or 45.18% of votes. Noreen Kokoruda had 1,493 votes, of 49.78% of counted votes.

Kokoruda conceded the race this morning just before 9 a.m. in a Facebook post.

"He worked hard and got people excited and was very successful in registering new voters," she wrote.

I congratulate John Michael Parker on this victory. He worked hard and got people excited and was very successful in registering new voters," she wrote. "Today, Madison has its largest number of registered voters, and that's a good thing. I wish him well and will certainly help him in any way I can."

She then went on to thank supporters, and residents of the 101st District

"Thank you for the honor of being your voice for close to 10 years," she wrote. "I am so proud of the work we were able to do, changes we made and for all the constituents we helped. Every night as I drove out of the Capitol and looked at the magnificent dome, I was reminded just how blessed I was to be part of it all and thankful to be given such a great opportunity by the people of the 101st. Thank you all and God bless John-Michael Parker as he takes over as our new state representative."

Hours after the official results, Parker posted on Facebook that he'd reached out to Kokoruda, whom he said he'll be "working with in the coming months."

"I’m inspired by her integrity and kindness, and eager to carry forward the important work she’s done for our community," he wrote. "Thank you for your service, Noreen. The graciousness you have displayed is exactly what our country is looking for right now, and I am thankful and proud to be a part of this example of bipartisanship and unity."

Kokoruda had won the endorsement of Madison and state police unions based on their belief she’d fight for law enforcement funding and resources and “not take them away.”

Meanwhile, Parker earned the endorsement of Moms Demand Action Gun Sense for being “committed to governing with gun sense as a priority.” And he got the blessing of a union, too: the Connecticut AFL-CIO.

The race between the incumbent Kokoruda and the newcomer Parker reflected a national trend where those who’ve never run for office are now entering local, state and national races challenging longtime incumbents and career politicians.

Stay on top of all the returns from across Connecticut and our five congressional districts by checking these stories throughout the night.

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Kokoruda, 73, has served as the 101st district representative for 9 years and was a Selectman for 14 years.

Parker, 32, has never been elected to office but noted that while he’s a newcomer, he’s “no stranger to public service.”

The two candidates could not be more dissimilar and at one point during the campaign, things got heated. Some criticized Kokoruda for a campaign mailer where she claimed Parker would defund police.

“This mailer shows a clear difference between me and my opponent,” Kokoruda wrote when some criticized the direct mail campaign brochure. “Sorry if this truth hurts …” she said referring to the Police Accountability bill which passed the state legislature. She defended her language in the campaign saying, “It’s been months since we voted on that bill and John Michael Parker has not said a word about supporting our local police officers against this bill.”

Parker said Kokoruda’s mailer appeared to have been “designed to mislead and frighten voters, dividing our community along party lines” He said he does “not support defunding the police …”

“I truly believe this kind of divisive, partisan, fear-mongering politics is exactly what voters are tired of—and I believe Madison and Durham deserve better,” he wrote. “I don’t want these negative tactics to shape our community, and I think whoever runs for office should choose to be a role model.”

It was one of the stark differences in policy and campaign style in the two candidates vying for the 101st District seat.

Hitting the polls

Parker said he was "proud" of the campaign he ran.

And Kokoruda thanked volunteers.