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33rd Senate District Race is Too Close to Call

The key race between Democrat Norm Needleman and state Rep. Melissa Ziobron for the 33rd Senate District was too close to call late Tuesday night.

With nine of the 12 towns in the district reporting, Needleman unofficially had 18,907 votes and Ziobron 18,523. The race will be instrumental in determining which party controls the Senate, which has been tied 18-18.

Needleman, 67, is serving his fourth term as first selectman of Essex. Ziobron, 47, is completing her third term representing the 38th House District of Colchester, East Haddam and East Hampton. Incumbent Republican Sen. 

The 33rd covers Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Deep River, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Lyme, Old Saybrook, Portland and Westbrook. Art Linares, who made an unsuccessful attempt to win the party nomination for state treasurer and moved out of the district, did not seek re-election.