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Nurse anesthesiologist Keith Denning defeated Wilton selectwoman Kim Healy to become the new seat holder of the CT 42nd House District
Keith Denning / Contributed Photo
Democrat Keith Denning defeated Wilton Republican Selectwoman Kim Healy to represent Wilton and parts of New Canaan and Ridgefield in the newly drawn 42nd District in the state House of Representatives.
Just before 11 p.m. Tuesday, Healy conceded the race.
"I wish the outcome had been different, clearly, but we worked really hard and just had the best support from everyone that worked on the campaign," she said.
Denning, a Wilton resident since 2017, was a career-certified registered nurse anesthetist in Ohio and Missouri. He was also a clinical educator with the University of Cincinnati School of Nurse Anesthesia and a chief anesthetist at two surgical clinics before moving to Connecticut where he now serves on the state Board of Nurse Anesthetists.
He has also volunteered to take medical missions abroad, including to Nicaragua, Paraguay, Cambodia, Russia and the Middle East, and has served as the chairman of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati Catholic Social Justice Commission for two years to foster a better relationship between the city of Cincinnati and its police department.
Denning spoke to the importance of diversifying housing options in town and adopting a sound Wilton Center Master Plan to foster a better local economy.
Healy was first elected to the Wilton Board of Selectmen in November 2021. She was previously nominated by the Republican party as its candidate to oppose state Sen. Will Haskell in 2020.
“During the 2020 state Senate election and the 2021 town elections in Wilton, I met and spoke with thousands of voters in Wilton, New Canaan and Ridgefield. Their concerns range from education and public safety to the cost of living and local control," Healy said during the race.
Healy has lived in Wilton for 15 years. Prior to serving as selectwoman, Healy served the community through various appointed positions, including as the Wilton Library’s former treasurer and held the same position for the Wilton Youth Council.
When asked if she'll run for another state seat, Healy was unsure.
"I don't know," she said. "I mean, unless things change within our state, I really can't say."
But despite Tuesday's loss, Healy noted her work isn't done as she continues to serve as the town's selectwoman.
"I'm just starting my journey through that," Healy said. "I'm still serving the people of Wilton. I would have preferred to be able to do both at the same time, but I was very proud of my win last year and I just look forward to continuing to do the good work for Wilton."
She is a career CPA and a former auditor with PricewaterhouseCoopers. She has volunteered as a tax preparer for the AARP for the last eight years, according to her website, and she has spent much of her professional career working with nonprofits and was recently appointed to the Connecticut Reading Leadership Implementation Council.