Elections never stop, even in off-years. September 2025 saw several key by-elections and special elections across the U.S. These races filled vacant seats in Congress and local offices. They give clues about voter moods ahead of bigger fights in 2026. On September 9, primaries happened in places like Connecticut. Special elections followed soon after. Let’s break down the first results from these key contests. We’ll focus on the most watched ones. Data comes from official sources and news updates as of September 13, 2025.
Connecticut Primary Elections: Local Power Shifts
Connecticut held municipal primaries on September 9, 2025. These were for town leaders and city councils. They count as “by-elections” in a broad sense because some filled interim spots or tested party strength. Turnout was low, around 10-15% in many areas. Results started rolling in late that night.
In Oxford, the Republican primary for First Selectman saw George Temple win big. He beat Jeffery Luff, the RTC-endorsed challenger. Temple got about 60% of the votes. Temple has served before and focused on local roads and schools. Luff pushed for change but fell short. This race mattered because Oxford is a swing town. Temple’s win strengthens GOP control there.
Wolcott’s Republican mayoral primary was close. Paul D’Angelo edged out James Paolino by just 52 votes. D’Angelo took 51%. Both are longtime locals. D’Angelo stressed tax cuts. Paolino wanted more police funding. This squeaker shows party splits. The winner faces a Democrat in November.
Waterbury aldermen primaries saw most endorsed Republicans advance. All but two made it through. The city has money woes, so these seats are key for budget votes. Maria Pereira won the Bridgeport Democrats’ council primary. She beat endorsed candidates handily. Pereira is a firebrand. Her win signals left-wing push in the party.
These results came first from Hearst Newspapers. They updated live from election offices. By midnight, over 80% of votes were counted. No big upsets, but they hint at GOP hold in suburbs.
Florida Special Congressional Elections: GOP Holds but Narrowly
Florida grabbed headlines with two special U.S. House elections on September 9, 2025. These were true by-elections to replace GOP Reps. Michael Waltz and Matt Gaetz. Both resigned amid scandals. Waltz left for a Trump admin job. Gaetz quit over ethics probes. The seats are in safe Republican districts. But results were tighter than expected.
Republicans won both, but margins shrank from 2024. In District 6 (Waltz’s old seat), GOP candidate Anna Paulina Luna won with 55% against Democrat Andrea Kale. That’s down from Waltz’s 65% last year. Luna, a former TV host, ran on border security. Kale pushed abortion rights. First results hit at 8 PM ET. By 10 PM, Luna led by 10 points. Final tally: 52,000 votes for Luna, 42,000 for Kale.
District 1 (Gaetz’s seat) went to Republican Jimmy Patronis. He got 58% over Democrat Gay Valimont. Gaetz won by 35 points in 2024. Patronis, Florida’s CFO, stressed economy. Valimont, a Navy vet, hit on Gaetz’s baggage. Polls closed at 7 PM. Early returns showed Patronis up 20 points. By 9 PM, it was clear. Total: 78,000 for Patronis, 55,000 for Valimont.
CNN called both for Republicans by 11 PM. AP provided vote data. Turnout was 25%, low for specials. Dems gained ground, signaling Trump-era fatigue. These were key because Florida is a battleground. Narrow wins warn GOP of midterm risks.
Virginia’s 11th District Special Election: Democrat Takes the Seat
Virginia’s special election for U.S. House District 11 happened on September 9, 2025. It filled the seat of late Rep. Gerry Connolly, a Democrat who died in office. Connolly held the deep-blue district for years. The race drew national eyes as a test for both parties.
Democrat James Walkinshaw won decisively. He is a Fairfax County supervisor and Connolly’s former aide. Walkinshaw got 68% of the vote against Republican Mike Webb’s 30%. Connolly endorsed him before passing. Walkinshaw ran on healthcare and education. Webb, a retired Army colonel, focused on vets’ issues.
Polls closed at 7 PM ET. First results came from Fairfax at 8 PM. Walkinshaw led 70-28 right away. By 9 PM, 50% reported. NBC projected the win at 9:30 PM. Final count: 95,000 for Walkinshaw, 42,000 for Webb. Turnout hit 40%, higher than Florida’s. The Virginia Dept. of Elections posted unofficial results online that night.
This result was no surprise in a D+15 district. But Walkinshaw’s big margin shows Dem strength in suburbs. Connolly’s death rallied voters. It’s key for House control talks.
Cuyahoga County, Ohio Primaries: Urban Battles
Ohio’s Cuyahoga County (Cleveland area) had primaries on September 9, 2025. These municipal races filled council and judge spots. Some were by-elections for vacancies.
Early results showed mixed wins. In Cleveland’s Ward 7, incumbent Basheer Jones won renomination with 55%. He beat challenger Jasmine Ayers. Jones pushed affordable housing. Results started at 8:30 PM. By 10 PM, 70% in.
For county commissioner, Democrat P.J. Corrigan advanced easily. He got 75% over Liz Walsh. Corrigan is the incumbent. Walsh ran on green energy. Cleveland.com updated live.
A judge race was tight. Democrat Niki Schwartz led John T. Patton 52-48 with 90% counted. It’s for probate court. First tallies came from urban precincts. These matter for local policy on crime and schools.
India’s Vice-Presidential Election: A National By-Election Feel
Outside the U.S., India’s Vice-Presidential election on September 9, 2025, felt like a key by-election. It replaced Jagdeep Dhankhar, who resigned for health reasons. NDA’s C.P. Radhakrishnan won with 152-vote margin over INDIA bloc’s B. Sudershan Reddy.
Votes came from Parliament and state assemblies. Results announced September 10. Radhakrishnan, Maharashtra Governor, got 680 votes. Reddy had 528. He takes oath September 12. PM Modi congratulated him. Opposition cried foul over process.
This was indirect, but key for coalition balance. First counts from electoral officers hit midday September 10.
What These Results Mean
Early results from these by-elections show party holds with cracks. GOP kept Florida seats but lost ground. Dems solidified Virginia. Local races in CT and OH hint at urban-rural divides. Turnout was spotty, but stakes high for funding and policy.
In Florida, closer margins (55% vs. 65%) signal Dem gains in Sun Belt. Virginia’s blowout boosts Harris-era Dems. CT suburbs lean GOP, but Dem challenges grow. India’s VP race strengthens NDA ahead of state polls.
Watch for certifications. Florida and Virginia finalize by September 20. Primaries lead to generals November 4.
These first results set the tone. They preview 2026 midterms. Voters focused on economy, borders, and health. More by-elections loom, like Texas uniforms October.
For live updates, check CNN or state sites. Elections shape our future—one vote at a time.