After his brief and remarkable-but-ultimately-unsuccessful write-in bid for the District 63 state representative seat abruptly vacated by state Rep. George Wilber two weeks before the election, attorney William Riiska quickly and quietly has settled back into his volunteer leadership role in working on legislative issues for the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce.
And one of the Chamber's first tasks this fall is going to be bringing a large freshman class of first-time Northwest Connecticut legislators up to speed on the issues important to the local business community.
Taking Wilber's seat is Republican newcomer John Rigby.
Upsetting incumbent state Rep. Anne Ruwet (R-65th District) was Democratic newcomer Michelle Cook.
Upsetting longtime incumbent state Rep. Richard Ferrari (R-62nd District) was Democratic newcomer Annie Hornish.
And the Chamber and others locally who have important issues before the Legislature also are trying to get to know Republican Kevin Witkos, who has served several terms in the House, representing Canton, but will now represent a portion of the Torrington area after winning the 8th District seat in the state Senate.

From Register Citizen Staff Writer David Hutter ...
NEW HARTFORD — Annie Hornish, Democratic candidate in the 62nd state house district, said she has met many voters at each of the polling places in New Hartford, Barkhamsted, Granby, and East Granby today. She said she is confident about her prospect of winning the seat.
"I’ve been jumping around the polling places since 6 a.m.," Hornish said. "I’ve spoken to a lot of voters. I think the biggest reason I am getting votes stems from my plans for the environment. ... I am optimistic I’ll have a victory."
She said she was currently driving from New Hartford to Granby today at 5:47 p.m. She will be meeting up with her many volunteers at her house in Granby once the polls close at 8 p.m. She said she has many volunteers who are making get-out-the-vote phone calls and campaigning at the polls.

A dispatch from Register Citizen Staff Writer David Hutter ...
GRANBY — State Rep. Richard Ferrari, R-62, voiced optimism about his prospects of defeating Democratic candidate Annie Hornish in the race for the seat that covers New Hartford, Barkhamsted, Granby, and East Granby. The Republican incumbent has been greeting voters at Barkhamsted Town Hall and Granby High School for a majority of the day since the polls opened at 6 a.m.
"I didn’t go to New Hartford Town Hall because there were not any Republicans there," he said. "I am actually feeling very good about my chances. We’ve been outside meeting people all day. I am pretty confident I’ll take all four towns. I think she (Annie Hornish) would need to win Granby in order to win the election."