GOP hoping to make gains in General Assembly

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut Republicans are hoping some outside help will allow them to cut into the Democratic majority in the General Assembly.

A group called Voters for Good Government has spent more than $278,500 on seven state Senate races and one state House race. Their advertisements either target Democrats or support Republicans.

The Democrats came into Election Day with a 99 to 52 advantage in the House and a 22 to 14 advantage in the Senate. The Democrats have controlled the Senate since 1996 and the House since 1986.

But there are a lot of vacant seats this year. In the House, 18 of the 24 open seats are held by Democrats. In the Senate, it's three of four.

Republicans picked up 15 House seats during the 2010 midterm elections.