New Haven Independent

Democratic Town Chairwoman Susie Voigt declared victory for Obama in New Haven at 8:50 p.m. at a campaign party at Hula Hanks on Crown Street.

The final total (on the voting machines, not including absentee ballots) had Obama defeating Clinton in New Haven with around 12,000 to under 6,000, or more than two to one.

“They’re saying Connecticut is too close to call, but there’s one city in Connecticut where it’s not too close to call — New Haven,” Voigt told the crowd.

“New Haven votes for a progressive Democratic outlook.”

Alderman Joey Rodriguez (pictured at the top of this story) was in charge of 95th State Representative District, which includes some of Fair Haven, Wooster Square and the Hill. Obama took all the areas under his charge. “I’m very excited!” said Rodriguez before plunking down on a chair at Hula Hanks to rest his weary legs.

Democratic Party diehards and union staffers clinked glasses under the palm trees of Hula Hanks, casting an occasional glance and cheer to TV screens on the walls.

“New Haven is going to be why Barack Obama wins the state of Connecticut,” predicted Mayor John DeStefano.

Click on the play arrow to watch the mayor’s remarks.

DeStefano and Voigt, along with almost all the city’s elected officials (including U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro), lined up behind Obama’s campaign.

“It’s incredibly exciting to see how he did in New Haven, and to know how all that work paid off,” said Jennifer Just, who organized the New Haven-area Obama volunteers (and even put up five out-of-town campaigners at her house).

Just said she got invited to go down to Maryland to keep working. “I swear, I’ve had so much fun, I’d love to go down there. If I can work it out, I will.”

John McCain was declared the GOP winner in Connecticut minutes after the polls closed at 8.

Some Ward Results

Click here for a ward-by-ward breakdown of the vote. (Requires Excel.) All results are in.

Obama won everywhere in the city except the more conservative precincts on the East Shore: Bella Vista, Morris Cove and the Annex. Obama also lost in Ward 16, which covers part of Fair Haven. Obama beat Clinton more than three to one in Ward 1, which covers Yale.

Ward 7 (Downtown)
Obama 279
Clinton 112
Kucinich 2
Blank 1
Richardson 1
Edwards 1

Republicans
McCain 14
Romney 6
Paul 4
Uncommitted 1
Huckabee 1

Ward 10 (East Rock):
Democrats:
Obama 648
Clinton 298
Edwards 11
Dodd 3
Kucinich 1
Gravel 1

Republicans:
McCain 23
Romney 8
Huckabee 3
Giuliani 1
Paul 1

Total ward 10 turnout: 1,001. Registered Dems: 1,482. Registered Republicans: 89.

Vincent Vitkowsky helped report this story.

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