In a toss-up race seen by some as a measuring stick for national party momentum, incumbent Republican Ryan Fazio will look to defend his seat in Connecticut's 36th Senate District against Democrat Nick Simmons.

Fazio first won the seat in a 2021 special election, then was reelected in 2022 by just 89 votes.

Simmons is a well known opponent though - a former math teacher who has severed as Gov. Ned Lamont's deputy chief of staff and as a senior advisor in President Joe Biden's administration, besides being the brother of Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons.

Despite the party drama, both candidates are looking to position themselves as moderates, with Fazio saying "I have a proven bipartisan record of bringing people together and ensuring that there is balance in our state government. People don't want all of one thing."

Simmons also says he is looking for a balance, since voters "are just looking for less of the ideological extremes, and more of just practically how can I lower costs?"

Cost of living is a major issue for both candidates, and both argue they have a track record proving they can get it done.

For Simmons, he says "When I was working for Governor Lamont, I was proud to be part of his team that helped pass record tax cuts, that helped pay off record pension debt."

Meanwhile Fazio says "Over the last two years, I've been able to co-author and pass six new laws in bipartisan fashion despite being a member of the minority."

With that in mind, Fazio says a win by Simmons would just help Democrats expand their majority and Hartford, and help give them a rubber stamp to "pass a state-wide property tax or elimination of local zoning."

Simmons says he will not necessarily toe the party line though, pointing out that he is the first Democrat in the history of the seat to be endorsed by the Independent Party, something that he calls "a testament to my track record on independent problem solving."

On the other hand, Simmons questions if Fazio is as moderate as he claims to be, accusing Fazio of taking part in a filibuster to try to kill a gun safety bill.

Fazio says he only spoke for four minutes, and agues that he was endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police and the Stamford Police Association, "who actually put their lives at risk to enforce our gun laws."

Both say they are expecting a late night before getting a result.