GOP hopes to win 2 open state Senate seats

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut Republicans are focusing on two open state Senate seats as they try to make inroads in the upper chamber, which Democrats have controlled since 1996.

The GOP sees its biggest opportunity in the 19th District, where Democrat Edith Prague of Columbia is retiring after 18 years. She has endorsed Sprague first selectman Cathy Osten, who is in a heated battle with Republican state Rep. Chris Coutu, of Norwich.

Another hotly contested race is in the 33rd District, where Democrat Eileen Dailey is retiring.

That is a three-way race among Democratic State Rep. James Crawford of Westbrook, Republican Art Linares of Westbrook and Green Party candidate Melissa Schlag.

The GOP is hoping Crawford and Schlag will split left-leaning voters.