Jill Oberlander won the 36th Senate District seat on Nov. 3, flipping the Greenwich-area district back to Democrats.

Oberlander, a former Greenwich selectperson and chair of the Board of Estimate and Taxation, defeated Republican Joe Kelly by a 55%-to-45% margin, CT News Junkie reported. She is only the second Democrat since 1930 to win the seat. Unofficial results posted to the Connecticut Secretary of the State's website showed Oberlander with 13,228 votes to Kelly's 11,292 in Greenwich, according to Patch. The district also covers New Canaan and parts of Stamford.

Standing on a table at Bosco's Bar and Grill in Old Greenwich around 10:30 p.m. on election night, Oberlander declared victory and thanked supporters, Greenwich Time reported.

"Democracy does not defend itself," she said.

Kelly conceded by phone. "We left it all on the field, but Jill got more votes," Kelly said on election night, according to Greenwich Time. He said he was "leaving his options open" for future public service.

The 36th District seat was previously held by state Sen. Ryan Fazio, a Republican who vacated it to run for governor. In 2018, Democrat Alex Kasser became the first member of her party to win the district in nearly 90 years. She resigned in June 2021, and Fazio won a special election that August. He was re-elected in 2022 and 2024.

Kelly was cross-endorsed by the Independent Party, CT News Junkie reported.

Democrats win two of three House races

Democrats won two of three contested Greenwich state House races, with one Republican holding on.

State Rep. Steve Meskers won re-election in the 150th State House District, beating Republican Jonathan Goldstein with 5,136 votes to 3,083, according to unofficial results reported by Patch. The Greenwich Democratic Town Committee claimed the victory.

State Rep. Hector Arzeno held his 151st District seat, defeating Republican Michael Mason. Unofficial results from the Secretary of the State's office showed Arzeno with 5,745 votes to Mason's 4,172.

The lone Republican winner was state Rep. Tina Courpas in the 149th District, which covers portions of Greenwich and Stamford. The Greenwich Republican Town Committee said Democratic challenger Amiel Goldberg conceded.

Democrats expand Connecticut Senate majority

The Greenwich results tracked with broader Democratic gains across Connecticut. Senate Republicans lost at least three seats on election night, CT News Junkie reported, and Democrats were on track to hold as many as 33 of the chamber's 36 seats. Democrats held a 25-11 majority heading into the election.

Gov. Ned Lamont won a third term, and all five Democratic congressional candidates won their races, including Rep. Jim Himes in the 4th District.

All results remain unofficial pending certification by the Secretary of the State's office.