Republican Vincent J. Candelora is leaning into the positives as he begins his 9th consecutive term as 86th District State Representative, following his unopposed run on Nov. 8 in the state elections.

The district, redrawn in 2022, represents North Branford/Northford and sections of Guilford, Durham and now, northerly East Haven. In Hartford, Candelora also serves as House Republican Leader.

Candelora made the rounds at polling places in all of his representative towns on Nov. 8. Speaking with Zip06/The Sound outside of North Branford’s District 1, Candelora said he was receiving “very positive feedback” from those stopping by to speak with him on their way to the polls, with people being “generally pleasant” and engaging in “good conversations.”

“The divisiveness we hear on the national level and in the commercials doesn’t seem to be resonating with the individuals that are coming in to vote. I think people are engaging in a good way,” said Candelora.

Despite running unopposed, Candelora said he was glad to be making the poll visits because it provided his constituents a good opportunity to ask questions, including some tough ones.

“I was talking to one individual about January 6 [2021] and the certification of the [national] election and the impact of that,” he said. “I understand that brings people anxiety. No one wants to see our democracy being undermined.”

Candelora said many constituents also expressed frustration on topics including gas prices, fuel prices, and the overall cost of living.

As a North Branford resident, Candelora said he was particularly grateful for the continued support shown by residents not only for his own candidacy, but for Republican candidates as a whole.

“I don’t see that changing. The town has leaned toward the Republican party,” said Candelora. “The town’s been under Republican rule locally for a long time, and at the state level. I think the community has tried to be really fiscally responsible and provide appropriate growth...I think they just like what the party has offered them over the years.”

As reported, North Branford voters showed their Republican roots following polling results on election night, with GOP candidates favored by the majority of the registered voters coming to the polls. Candelora was supported by 100 percent of votes made by North Branford’s registered voters participating in the Nov. 8 election, garnering 4,682 votes.

Upon returning to Hartford, Candelora said he hoped that the impact of all Republican voters coming out to show support for their candidates on Nov. 8 will lead lawmakers of other party affiliations to carefully consider upcoming votes on issues facing the state.

“Part of the issue here isn’t just trying to win a majority in Hartford; but it is to send a message. If there are individuals that are in close races, particularly in the majority, they’re going to think twice before they vote,” said Candelora.

He said he felt Covid regulations in the past term also led some lawmakers to make decisions which went on to became hot-button issues for them during this election cycle.

“During Covid, when everything was shut down, people voted for bills that they weren’t really able to read or understand, because they weren’t in rooms with their peers. They voted out of their office in isolation. And I think they’re being held accountable for those votes today, and that’s making people nervous.”

Ultimately, that may lead to better bipartisan legislative work when the new session begins, Candelora said.

“So I’m hoping, when we go back to Hartford, we’re going to see a push to open up, and have better dialogue between all sides, so that we have better product. Because I think, over the last two years, Covid has served as a disservice to democracy.”