Osten retains state Senate seat for Dems

Associated Press

Updated: Nov 6, 2012 11:34 PM

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Democrats have retained the state Senate seat being vacated by the retirement of longtime Sen. Edith Prague in eastern Connecticut.

Democrat Cathy Osten, the first selectman of Sprague and Prague's hand-picked successor, beat Republican state Rep. Chris Coutu of Norwich in the 19th District.

Coutu, a staunchly conservative Republican, beat Osten two years ago to win his House seat.

Prague, who held the seat for 18 years, had referred to the Republican as "Cuckoo Coutu" and called him a "fringe" politician.

Democrats came into the election with a 22 to 14 advantage in the upper chamber.

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