UPDATE: This online report was edited at 11:45 am on April 14 to modify initially incorrect polling outcomes from Monroe, and to add remarks from Newtown's First Selectman, and State Senator Tony Hwang.

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Republican Tony Scott outpaced Democratic rival Nick Kapoor in a Special Election April 13 to win the open 112th District Legislative seat representing Newtown and Monroe.

With unofficial counts delivered from the Newtown and Monroe Registrars, Scott registered 2,248 votes to Kapoor’s 1,948. Newtown Independent William Furrier, who was also on the ticket, received a total of 31 votes.

Monroe results and some additional reporting was provided courtesy of Bill Bittar and the The Monroe Sun online media source.

Scott was quick to respond to a request for comment as he, his family, and supporters celebrated the win after a brief campaign to fill the statehouse seat vacated when GOP Rep JP Sredzinski resigned to devote more time to his family and new job responsibilities.

The current Monroe Town Council member and former Parks & Recreation Commission Chairman received a strong endorsement from Sredzinski, who said, “When I made the difficult decision to retire as State Representative, I did so because I knew Tony Scott was ready and able to continue my work. Tony Scott has the experience to hit the ground running.”

The newly elected lawmaker noted that his opponent “ran a hard campaign,” and that he was, “thrilled that the residents of the 112th District ultimately supported the most authentic candidate who they thought would represent them in Hartford to fight for affordability and against the onerous taxes and unfunded mandates Democrats continue to propose.”

'An Amazing Time'

Kapoor congratulated Scott while expressing disappointment in a statement provided to The Newtown Bee, and similarly characterized his efforts over the past seven weeks as a “hard-fought campaign.”

“I can’t tell you how grateful I am to all the people of Monroe and Newtown who honored me with their votes today and I promise to continue my efforts to ensure that the 112th District is one of the finest places to live in the state of Connecticut,” Kapoor pledged. “Despite tonight’s results, I am proud to have made this effort. There was no way I could have sat by during this election and not fought as hard as possible for the principles and programs that I so firmly believe in.”

Kapoor thanked his supporters and volunteers who distributed literature, wrote postcards, typed letters to the editor, talked to friends, and “constantly posted positive things about me and my campaign on social media.

“While I may have lost this election, the past seven weeks have been an amazing time for me — a time of personal growth — a time when I grew as a person, as a businessman, as a teacher, and as a concerned and engaged citizen,” Kapoor said. “Running for this office has been an experience that I would not trade for anything.”

Scott said he is ready to roll up his sleeves and dig into matters involving the current session, which is already well in progress.

“I look forward to jumping into session and start serving Monroe and Newtown immediately as there are many bills that my constituents want a loud voice to express their dislike,” Scott said. “I humbly accept their charge and will commit to working hard each day to represent all of them.”

Sending Best Wishes

Newtown State Rep Mitch Bolinsky, who will be joined by Scott on the Newtown delegation along with Rep Raghib Allie-Brennan and Senator Tony Hwang, sent congratulations to Scott after learning of his special election victory.

“I love Tony’s energy, his business acumen and his solid family values,” Bolinsky said. “He really cares about doing good for people and setting Connecticut on a more optimistic trajectory for all of us. I look forward to serving with our newest and most enthusiastic caucus member and doing all I can to help him get up to speed quickly.”

Allie-Brennan also sent his congratulations, saying, "I look forward to working with you as a new member of the Newtown delegation and on bipartisan ways to help get Connecticut back on its feet." The Second District Democrat also offered "a big thank you to Nick Kapoor for running."

"This race was closer than any would have ever expected because of you and your amazing team," Allie-Brennan said, "keep up the good fight."

Newtown First Selectman Dan Rosenthal offered congratulations and best wishes to Scott and his family on his victory.

"I look forward to building a relationship with him that benefits us all," Rosenthal said. "I know how hard it is to run a campaign on a normal schedule, let alone one condensed into a matter of weeks. Newtown and Monroe were fortunate to have three candidates come forward in a short span of time and offer themselves in service to the public."

Senator Hwang also tendered hearty congratulations to Scott, noting, "He is joining the Newtown/Sandy Hook state delegation in Hartford to continue the fight for a responsible, responsive government. To represent Newtown and Sandy Hook is a privilege and this community deserves proper and active representation and I genuinely believe that Mr. Scott will do an excellent job.

“Representative-elect Tony Scott will be following in the capable footsteps of former Representative J.P. Sredzinski, who offered years of dedicated service in the Statehouse," Hwang added. "I am appreciative of his service and wish him the best in his future endeavors.”

Local registrars records showed Newtown’s turnout in the race was minimal, according to voter records. While Newtown’s portion of the 112th District has 2,311 qualified voters, only 370 reported to the Reed School polls Tuesday to cast votes.

Another 109 filed absentee ballots, of which two were not inserted into the inner ballot envelopes, so they were not valid according to Newtown Democratic Registrar LeReine Frampton. An additional write-in ballot completed at the Newtown polls was deemed invalid, Frampton added.

In Newtown, Scott received a total of 244 votes to Kapoor’s 223, while Furrier received seven. In Monroe, Scott received 2,004 votes to Kapoor's 1,725, and Furrier received 24.

Look for further reporting as Scott takes his seat in the General Assembly in the coming days.

Check back, or see this week's Newtown Bee print edition for additional updates.