Rosa Rebimbas Defeats Peter Mariano in Probate Judge Republican Primary. Candidates Will Meet Again in November.

State Representative Rosa Rebimbas won 58% of the vote in Tuesday’s Republican primary for judge of probate in Tuesday’s primary. She defeated incumbent Peter Mariano by more than 400 votes in the four-town district.

Mariano was arrested three times last year for driving under the influence and twice for driving while his license was suspended. Video recordings revealed that Mariano repeatedly tried to avoid arrest by reciting his connections to Naugatuck’s police chief and deputy chief. The five-term incumbent chose to primary Rebimbas after he lost the party’s endorsement at a May nominating convention.

Democratic delegates nominated Mariano at their convention–after the Republican served four days in jail. The Democratic nomination assured Mariano a spot in the November general election. He would have been unopposed if he’d defeated Rebimbas on Tuesday.

Beacon Falls, Middlebury, Naugatuck and Prospect comprise the probate district.

Published August 10, 2022.