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McKeen Drops Primary Bid Against Capone for 34th State Senate Seat

Democratic State Senate candidate Aili McKeen announced her decision to withdraw her bid for the Democratic nomination to the 34th District State Senate seat, leaving former East Haven mayor and North Haven resident April Capone as the Democrat’s choice to face Republican Paul Cicarella, Jr.

The seat will be vacated by nine-term republican Len Fasano, who chose not to seek re-election. The 34th State Senate District serves East Haven, Wallingford, most of North Haven, and a part of Durham.

In a June 2 Facebook post, McKeen said, “Friends, after much consideration I have decided to end my campaign for State Senate and avoid a difficult, contentious primary in August.

“While we did extremely well two years ago and defied all expectations in that successful primary, I came up a few votes short in our convention this year,” she continued. “We expected that outcome and were prepared to bring our fight directly to the voters.

“In a normal campaign year I would have no hesitation in going forward. But this is no normal year. The coronavirus pandemic has devastated our country, killed more than 107,000 Americans, caused 32 percent unemployment, and upended life and political campaigns as we know them. Without the ability to campaign door-to-door, I simply do not see a pathway to victory on Aug. 11,” the statement continued. “I make this decision with a heavy heart, but I also know it is the right thing to do. No one wants a primary that rips us apart and gives the Republicans an advantage in the fall.”

Find McKeen’s full comments on her Facebook page @AiliMcKeenCT.

Capone issued the following statement on Aili McKeen’s decision not to primary this August on June 2.

“I learned today that Aili McKeen will not continue to a primary this August. Aili has been a champion for women’s rights, the environment and a strong advocate for labor and I applaud her efforts to advance these causes. I look forward to working with her on these issues, as the party unites to win back the 34th State Senate seat this November.”

To learn more about Capone’s campaign, visit aprilforct.com.