Wildaliz Bermúdez is headed back to Hartford.  The former Hartford city councilmember and child civil rights plaintiff won her campaign Tuesday to represent New Haven’s east side 97th General Assembly District.  Bermúdez, a Democrat, beat Republican Anthony Acri 3,806 to 1,110 votes , or 77.5 to 22.41 percent, based on machine votes tallied by Independent correspondents as well as early voting totals announced at the Hall of Records. (Absentee ballots and same-day voting totals were not yet tabulated as of 8:45 p.m. There were 197 absentee ballots cast for the 97th District race and 938 Same-Day Registration (SDR) votes cast across the city. Those uncounted votes cannot change the outcome of the race.) Bermúdez serves as Fair Rent Commission executive director for the City of New Haven. Acri is a businessman from Morris Cove. Click here and here for previous coverage of the race. Standing on a chair in a house next to St. Andrews United Methodist Church on Townsend Avenue, before 40 supporters, Bermúdez said, “I love that we’re in a house right now, next to the church.” She reflected on the “obstacles” her campaign faced. The local Democratic Party, for example, endorsed her opponent, Morris Cove Alder Leland Moore, in the Democratic primary race. “We were not the chosen candidates. We did not receive the endorsement. But we persevered.” Still, “for every door and interview that said no, and every endorsement that said no, someone opened their door and said yes.” She thanked her supporters for their work making calls, talking to voters, and securing petition signatures. But first, she thanked her parents, who stood alongside her. They moved their family to Connecticut from Puerto Rico after she was born, for better opportunities for their children. “Had they not taken that step, I wouldn’t be here,” Bermúdez said. “Gracias, Mami. Gracias, Papi.”  “I love Wiz because I’ve seen her work for the people. I’m really proud of her,” said election party attendee Allison Pace. Reflecting on the national races, which appear to be headed toward Democratic wins, Pace said, “We need a change. It’s all about the people, and if we forget about the people, we forget about the purpose of the office, which is to represent the people.” Thank you to poll reporters Anne Tubis, Jessica Tubis, Karen Ponzio, Norma Rodriguez-Reyes, Brian Slattery, Lisa Reisman, Allan Appel, Thomas Breen, and Suzanne Boorsch Bermúdez (center) with her parents at her Tuesday night election party. Credit: Brandon Cortes Head Moderator Kevin Arnold and City Clerk’s office staffer Michelle Rodriguez count absentee ballots at 200 Orange St. Credit: Thomas Breen photo The post Bermúdez Trounces Acri appeared first on New Haven Independent. ...read more read less