WILTON — Both local candidates for the House District 90 seat said Wednesday they were glad their campaigns were run cleanly with no mud slinging.

Republican Russell Black took the seat Tuesday with 2,552 votes over Democratic challenger Irving Faunce with 1,127 votes.

Both will continue to work together as selectmen for Wilton.

Black succeeds Thomas Saviello, also a Wilton selectman, who could not run again because of the term limit law. The Republican won a seat in the Senate in Tuesday’s elections.

“I’m tired today but ready to hit the ground running,” Black said Wednesday. “I’m looking forward to tackling some tough issues. There are some tough choices that need to be made.”

After knocking on 2,500 doors throughout the district, Black said jobs and the economy are the top priority in people’s minds. Health care is an issue but it lags behind business and jobs, he said.

“A lot of people are hurting,” he said after hearing their concerns about high taxes and the need for more businesses and jobs. As a business owner for 38 years, he understands there is a lack of support from the state for business.

“That resonated with me; it’s why I ran. People are angry, discouraged and many have lost all faith in state government,” he said. “It motivates me to go work. The Republicans have been given the chance to go ahead and do something. Hopefully we’ll use it wisely.”

Faunce has no regrets, he said, after running a “clean and hard campaign.”

“I gave it my all but voters had something else on their minds,” he said.

Faunce’s campaign also included knocking on about 2,000 doors and he wanted to express his appreciation to voters and residents for the open and courteous way in which he was greeted, he said.

House District 90 covers Avon, New Vineyard, Perkins Township, Phillips, Strong, Temple and Wilton.

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