SEVEN OF NINE ...

Democrats held on to seven of nine legislative seats in special elections Tuesday, losing a Senate race in Meriden and a House contest in Madison, but otherwise thwarting efforts by Republicans who painted the election as a referendum on Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's proposal to raise taxes by $1.5 billion.

Republican Noreen S. Kokoruda of Madison won in the 101st House District and Republican Len Suzio of Meriden was the upset winner in 13th Senate District, picking up a Democratic seat in each chamber. All nine vacancies were created by the resignations of Democrats, six of whom took jobs with Malloy.

But Democrats were quick to celebrate minimizing their losses in races held just a week after the first Democratic governor in a generation proposed raising a broad array of taxes. In four targeted House races, the GOP hit hard on the tax issue with a flurry of late mailings.

"So much for the referendum on Dan Malloy," said Roy Occhiogrosso, the governor's senior adviser. "The Republicans thought they were going to have a good night. Not so much. Give Dan Malloy the credit he deserves."

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