By Thane Grauel

WESTPORT — Democrats and Republicans took advantage of an unusually balmy Monday for last-minute campaigning.

Gov. Ned Lamont visited the town’s Democratic Party headquarters in the afternoon. He was joined by state Rep. Jonathan Steinberg, the Democrat seeking a seventh term in the 136^th District; Dominique Johnson, who is seeking election in the 143^rd state House District, which includes parts of Norwalk and Westport; and Lisa Wexler, who is seeking another term as Westport Weston judge of probate.

“What are you hearing out there?” Lamont asked.

“Really positive,” Steinberg said. “I was at the trains this morning, people had already voted, feeling very confident … they like the path that we’re on.”

“I’m really excited to go back to Hartford, with the governor, and with Dominique, because we have work yet to be done,” Steinberg said.

Johnson, a Norwalk Common Council member, told the crowd she feels like she’s become an honorary member of the Westport community.

“I’m proud to be on the ticket with this governor and Jonathan because I know we’re fighting for this future that he’s going to lead us to,” Johnson said.

Republicans weren’t letting up on their campaign efforts either.

Toni Boucher, a Republican seeking the 26^th state Senate seat, reported that she had knocked on more than 8,000 doors, and had more than 820 direct conversations with people over the course of the campaign.

“Exhausting but inspiring, too,” she said. “People have been so nice.”

Her opponent is Democrat Ceci Maher. Both live in Wilton.

Republican Nicole Hampton, seeking election in the newly redrawn 143^rd state House District, was sign-waving outside Stew Leonard’s on Westport Avenue in Norwalk on Monday afternoon with Lisa Brinton, an Independent Party candidate for the 25^th state Senate District.

Hampton said she’d knocked on more than 6,500 doors during her campaign.

“This election is about affordability, accountability and public safely,” she said. “We need to make sure we provide our law enforcement with the proper tools and policies to be able to do their job.”

Thane Grauel, executive editor, grew up in Westport and has been a journalist in Fairfield County and beyond more than three decades. Reach him at editor@westportjournal.com. Learn more about us here.