Marx Wins Third Term in State Senate Race
Democrat Martha Marx defeated Republican challenger Lee Elci to retain the Connecticut 20th Senate District seat.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections
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Democratic state senator Martha Marx won a third term in the Connecticut 20th Senate District, defeating conservative radio host and Republican challenger Lee Elci. Marx declared victory less than an hour after polls closed, based on results compiled by her campaign.
Why it matters
The outcome keeps the seat in Democratic hands after Republican Paul Formica held it from 2015 through 2022. Marx's win extends her tenure representing the district that includes New London and several shoreline towns.
Marx's victory was declared on campaign-compiled results rather than official tallies, and the extraction provides no vote counts or margin. The district comprises Bozrah, East Lyme, Montville, New London, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Salem and Waterford.
The players
Martha Marx
Martha Marx is a Democratic state senator from New London who has held the 20th Senate District seat and previously worked as a visiting nurse.
Lee Elci
Lee Elci is a conservative radio host who ran as the Republican challenger in the race.
The details
Marx, a Democrat from New London who has worked as a visiting nurse for more than 30 years, received the endorsement of the Working Families Party. Elci is a conservative radio host who has hosted his show for 21 years. In 2023, Marx helped secure more than $12 million for district schools for HVAC upgrades.
Timeline
- 2015 through 2022: Paul Formica represented the 20th Senate District.
- 2022: Marx defeated Republican Jerry Labriola Jr. for the seat.
- 2023: Marx helped secure more than $12 million for district school HVAC upgrades.
- November 4, 2026: Marx declared victory less than an hour after polls closed.
Political Context
The Democratic hold follows Marx's 2022 defeat of Republican Jerry Labriola Jr., which ended a stretch of Republican representation that began with Paul Formica's 2015 election. Elci's challenge represents a conservative bid to reclaim a seat that Republicans held for the better part of the prior decade.
Connecticut voters in the 20th Senate District now have a state senator who will continue representing them in Hartford for another term. Marx's record of securing school funding means residents of communities such as Lyme-Old Lyme may see continued attention to local infrastructure.
The takeaway
Local races for state Senate seats can turn on campaign-reported results before official certification, so voters should watch for final tallies. Residents interested in how their representatives secure funding for local schools can review the specific projects their senators announce.
Further reading
For more on the state's races, explore Elections coverage across Connecticut.
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