UPDATED: Kepple And Janney Win Party Probate Primaries

It will be Stonington’s Nicholas Kepple for the Democrats and Pawcatuck’s Eric Janney for the Republicans come August’s election for the regional judge of probate.

Four Democratic candidates and two Republican candidates were seeking to win their respective primary for the Southeastern Connecticut Regional Probate Court Judge. The court, located in Groton, serves the towns of Stonington, Groton, North Stonington and Ledyard, and handles matters including adoptions, wills, estates and guardianship.

Following the primary a special election will held on August 16, 2011.

A sparse turnout Tuesday in the four towns put Kepple at the top of the four Democrats vying for the place on the ballot. He beat Ellin Grenger of Ledyard 800-602.

Janney beat Dean Antipas 912-401.

The other two Democrats, Edward Moukawsher and Peter Rotella received 96 and 112 respectively.

“It was a very nice evening,” Janney said. “We have eight more weeks to the general election where we can have a good discussion about qualifications and hope for a similar result.”

Kepple said he too looks forward to the next stage.

“First I want to say thank you to all the people that voted for me and to all the people who worked for me, my friends and family,” Kepple said,  “and I want to commend all my fellow candidates on their civility. Moving forward I hope to work hard and share my record, experiences, and compassion.”

Grenger, of Gales Ferry, easily won in Ledyard, receiving 153 of 383 votes cast in both districts. Kepple received a total of 43 votes in Ledyard.

 A total of 205 votes were cast in Ledyard Center, with 78 going to Grenger. She also won Gales Ferry, where a total of 178 votes were cast. 

"I would make sense that I would win in Ledyard, where I've been probate judge for the past four years," Grenger said. "I would have been very upset if I hadn't won Ledyard."

 As the returns began to trickle in, Grenger was pleased to see she had won in North Stonington as well. 

"I won the two small towns, I'm the last girl standing, so I'm happy," she said. 

But Stonington’s numbers were solidly in favor of Kepple, as they came in, tempering Grenger's enthusiasm. 

With Kepple taking 544 in Stonington to her 197, Grenger's chances were beginning to fade.

"I had a great team," she said. "I said I was going to go out and campaign hard and I did. I felt like I did my best to be in contact with every single voter." 

Although not all the votes had been counted, Grenger said Kepple, if he is the winner, would have her full support.

The Democratic results:

The Republican results: