In the Primaries held on August 14th, in the state treasurer’s race, Democrat Shawn Wooden, endorsed by the party, defeated a formidable challenge from Dita Bhargava, a hedge fund portfolio manager from Greenwich.
In Connecticut, Mudita Bhargava was seeking the Democratic nomination for the state treasurer’s seat. In a two-candidate race, Shawn Wooden received 113,994 votes for 57 percent of the vote, ousting Bhargava, who received 86,940 votes for 43 percent, from the race. “Thank you so much to all of my supporters. You have given me the necessary strength to run this campaign,” Bhargava tweeted.
“I’m thrilled that Democrats across the state nominated me to run in November, recognizing my experience with public pension plans and commitment to working people,” Wooden said. “The state has a real choice with the Democratic team nominated tonight, and it will be a stark contrast to the Republicans.”
Wooden, 49, is expected to face Republican Thad Gray, who claimed victory over challenger Sen. Art Linares in a GOP primary for treasurer Tuesday. The winner will replace longtime Treasurer Denise Nappier, who chose not to run for re-election. The primary race was a battle over every dollar, with each candidate focusing of different elements of their fiscal prowess to win over voters.
Primary elections were held in Connecticut, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Vermont with little activity from Indian Americans, though the candidates who were running in contested races were unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, in Connecticut’s 4th Congressional District, Harry Arora, an Indian American running as a Republican, advanced after running uncontested. He will face Democratic incumbent Jim Himes in the general election.
In Wisconsin, Josh Kaul is seeking to become the state’s attorney general. Kaul, a Democrat, ran uncontested in his race and will challenge, along with Terry Larson, the Republican incumbent Brad Schimel to win the seat.
Meanwhile, in Vermont, Jasdeep Pannu was seeking the GOP nomination for a U.S. Senate seat held by Democrat Bernie Sanders. In the four-candidate race, Brooke Paige held the slightest of edges over Lawrence Zupan – 39.6 percent to 37.8 percent – while Pannu received 18.3 percent of the vote. At time of press, roughly 97 percent of the precincts had reported.
