Arnone defeats Hendrickson for 58th House District

Susan Danseyar, Journal Inquirer, Manchester, Conn.
·2 min read

Nov. 9—ENFIELD — State Rep. Tom Arnone was re-elected Tuesday to represent the 58th House District, defeating Republican challenger Bob Hendrickson.

Unofficial results show Arnone with 3,730 votes and Republican challenger Bob Hendrickson with 3,271 votes.

The Enfield registrars of voters was expected to count between 400 and 500 absentee ballots today.

The 58th House District serves part of Enfield, including the Thompsonville area.

One of the first people to congratulate Arnone was Hendrickson, who came to the Powder Hollow Brewery where the Democratic candidates gathered with town officials, friends, and family.

"I'm grateful to the voters for having faith in me and I'm glad to have Bob as a constituent," Arnone said after the two talked for a few minutes. "He ran a good campaign."

This was Hendrickson's first time running for elected office. He said he found campaigning to be rewarding, as it gave him a chance to listen to the concerns of the people in the district.

"I knocked on every door," he said. "I had some great conversations and it was rewarding just listening to people."

Hendrickson said he will continue to serve on the Enfield Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency.

Arnone, who has held the seat since 2018, said it was an unusually large turnout for a mid-term election, which he attributes to people thinking about national politics.

"We may have a budget surplus here in Connecticut but people are still concerned with inflation and where the country is headed," he said.

In his opinion, Arnone said, people definitely voted with their wallets in this election.

"The Republicans came out in large numbers," he said. "One always has to be aware of the opponent — that's part of the polarized America we live in."

One of his goals for the next term is to continue bringing more money to Enfield.

"That's why I'm standing here tonight — for what I've brought to the town," he said.

Arnone said an important issue facing the state is maintaining its workforce.

"Our economy is ready to explode but the issue is getting and keeping labor here," he said. "We have to concentrate on workforce education."

He said it's also important to increase affordable housing, and keep mental professionals in the schools after American Rescue Plan Act funds dry up.

For more coverage of Somers and Enfield, follow Susan Danseyar on Twitter: @susandanseyar, Facebook: Susan Danseyar, reporter.