Outcome of Connecticut legislative primary race flip-flops amid miscount, missing ballots

HAMDEN, Conn. (AP) — A candidate for an open Connecticut legislative seat who thought she lost last week’s Democratic primary, only to be declared the winner by two votes when a counting error was discovered 90 minutes after she conceded, has again found herself in the losing column.

A recount held Tuesday, a week after the primary in the 91st House of Representatives District in Hamden, determined Jennifer Pope’s opponent, Laurie Sweet, had actually won her party’s nomination — 947 to 932 — when an envelope with uncounted ballots was found.

Pope said Wednesday that she was shocked by the series of flip-flops and is not conceding until she’s sure all the votes have been counted.

“I’m still talking with my team about what our next steps should be. There is quite a few irregularities that came out in yesterday’s recount,” said the first-time candidate.

“It’s been a crazy experience for sure. I definitely wasn’t anticipating it to go quite this way,” she said.

Sweet had already given an acceptance speech the night of the primary after getting a concession call from Pope, only to learn of the miscount. But she said she’s now confident the final tally is accurate after Tuesday’s recount showing her to be the winner.

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