Democrat Chris Poulos Won His Connecticut House Race by a Single Vote

If you know someone who scoffs at the phrase “every vote counts,” send them this story.

Democrat Chris Poulos won election to the Connecticut House of Representatives by literally one vote this week. Poulos will represent the state's 81st district, covering Southington, CT. According to NBC News, it is the same seat once held by Connecticut’s current U.S. Senator Chris Murphy, more than 20 years ago.

Representative-elect Poulos, a local high school Spanish teacher, won the district against Republican opponent Tony Morrison by 1 vote. He received 5,297 votes, while his Morrison obtained 5,296 votes. The 1-vote difference was confirmed after the recount was completed on November 14. Before the recount, Poulos’ unofficial margin was a 6-vote lead.

“Having knocked on 5,300 doors it’s clear that people are divided,” Poulos said to the Record-Journal, a local newspaper based in Meriden, CT. “We need to wipe the slate clean of animosity and we need to move forward together in a civil and productive way to do what's best for our town and our state.”