HARTFORD, Conn. _ Justin Anderson led Thomas Gilmer by four votes in the Republican primary in the 2nd Congressional District as of early Wednesday afternoon.
The primary in eastern Connecticut was unexpectedly thrown into chaos Tuesday when voters learned that the Gilmer, the party-endorsed candidate from Madison, had been arrested late Monday on domestic violence charges in connection with a violent altercation in 2017 with a former girlfriend. Gilmer announced that he was dropping out of the race, but it was too late to remove his name from the ballot.
In fact, some residents had already voted for Gilmer by absentee ballot.
If Gilmer wins, he must notify the Secretary of the State's office that he is dropping out. That would allow the Republican party to nominate another candidate.
The Republican nominee will face off in the fall against U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, a Democrat who has held the seat since defeating Rep. Rob Simmons by 83 votes _ out of roughly 242,000 cast _ in 2006. Courtney is heavily favored to win reelection.
