Foley Concedes Defeat, Malloy Declares Victory In Conn. Race For Governor
HARTFORD, Conn. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Republican Tom Foley on Wednesday conceded defeat to Gov. Dannel P. Malloy in the race for governor in Connecticut, a bruising and expensive rematch of the 2010 contest.
Speaking Wednesday afternoon from the State Capitol in Hartford, Malloy said he was "really revved up about the next four years."
"We have put out plans that pretty specifically spell out what we want to get done over the next few years and we will have, I assure you, a full legislative agenda," Malloy said, adding that he thanks the people of Connecticut for "giving me the opportunity to lead them for the next four years."
Foley Concedes Defeat, Malloy Declares Victory In Conn. Race For Governor
After telling supporters on election night that he had probably lost, Foley sent an email message to supporters Wednesday saying they came close, but Malloy had won.
"I regret that I will not be able to deliver the dream you and I share for restoring pride and prosperity in Connecticut,'' Foley said. "We did not win, but we were on the field and fought a good game. Our ideas will be on citizens' minds as our leaders steer us forward."
He said his campaign fared better in cities than he did in 2010 when he first lost to Malloy, but lost ground elsewhere because of what he called "relentless negative advertising.''
"Our appeal for change in Connecticut -- pro-growth policies including lower taxes, more responsible spending, and more support for job creators -- was endorsed by more than 48% of Connecticut voters," Foley said. "Governor Malloy won this election with fewer votes than we won in 2010."
With 95 percent of precincts reporting on Wednesday afternoon, Malloy was leading with 50.5 percent of the vote, compared to 48.5 percent for Foley.
The Greenwich businessman and former U.S. ambassador to Ireland spoke to Malloy and offered his congratulations, according to Malloy campaign spokesman Mark Bergman.
Malloy took to the stage at a Hartford function hall early Wednesday and announced to a cheering crowd, "We are in the position to declare victory.''
"We did this together," Malloy said. "We did this together and no matter how large the margin or how small the margin, we're standing here today."
Voter Reaction In Connecticut
The two had been in a tight race for months, with Foley looking to avenge his narrow loss to Malloy in 2010 when Malloy defeated him by 6,404 votes out of 1.1 million cast.
Problems at the polls in Hartford led to a last-minute court battle Tuesday with Malloy filing a petition to extend voting hours.
A judge ultimately agreed to allow two precincts to stay open for an extra 30 minutes -- a move Foley fought. Hartford is a Democratic stronghold.
President Barack Obama called in to WNPR-FM and pleaded with Hartford residents who couldn't vote because of the polling problems to return later and cast their ballots. Obama has praised Malloy for his support of a higher minimum wage and additional gun control measures in the wake of the Newtown school massacre.
Despite the glitches, Secretary of the State Denise Merrill said she expected voter turnout to exceed her prediction of 55 percent. She said it could be as high as 65 percent.
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