Butler, Zupkus Reelected to Connecticut House

Both Waterbury-area incumbents won new terms unopposed on Election Day in Connecticut.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections

Empty brick civic building entrance with a wooden door and stone steps beneath autumn trees on a quiet city street. — Democrat Larry Butler and Republican Lezlye Zupkus were reelected to Connecticut's House on Election Day, both running unopposed in Waterbury-area districts. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Democrat Larry Butler was reelected to the 72nd House District and Lezlye Zupkus was reelected to the 89th House District in Connecticut. Both ran unopposed on the ballot.

Why it matters

Both incumbents retained their seats without facing opposing candidates, continuing long-standing representation for their districts in Waterbury and surrounding towns. Butler has held his seat since 2007.

Both races were uncontested, meaning neither incumbent faced an opposing candidate on the ballot. Butler's tenure began in 2007, and Zupkus is seeking her eighth term, though final vote totals were not provided in the source material.

The players

Larry Butler

Larry Butler is a Democratic state representative for Connecticut's 72nd House District in Waterbury, first elected in 2007.

Lezlye Zupkus

Lezlye Zupkus is a Connecticut state representative for the 89th House District who also serves as state director of Best Buddies Connecticut.

The details

Butler, a Democrat endorsed by the Working Families Party, represents northern Waterbury neighborhoods including Bucks Hill, Waterville and Fairmount. Zupkus represents Bethany, Prospect, and parts of Cheshire and Waterbury, and works as state director of Best Buddies Connecticut.

2007: Larry Butler first won the 72nd House District seat.
November 3, 2026: Election Day in Connecticut, including the state House races.

Season Trajectory

Uncontested reelections continue a pattern in which long-serving Connecticut House incumbents retain their seats without challengers on the ballot. Butler's tenure since 2007 and Zupkus's eighth term place both among the more established members of the chamber.

Constituents in Waterbury, Bethany, Prospect and parts of Cheshire will continue to be represented by the same state lawmakers for the coming term. The uncontested races mean voters in these districts had no alternative candidate to choose from on the ballot.

The takeaway

Voters in uncontested races can still check the Connecticut Secretary of the State's website for official results and candidate information for their districts. Staying informed about state House representatives helps residents understand who is handling local issues.