Ned Lamont, a Democrat and wealthy business owner, won the governor’s race in Connecticut on Wednesday, helping his party hold on to a vulnerable seat and overcoming a fierce challenge from a Republican opponent who tried to tie him to the state’s unpopular incumbent and a slumping economy.

Mr. Lamont, 64, defeated Bob Stefanowski, the Republican candidate and a former business executive, according to The Associated Press. The vote count had been delayed overnight, and Mr. Lamont was not declared the winner until Wednesday morning.

In his victory speech, Mr. Lamont struck a unifying tone, calling on members of both parties to work together to guide the state through financial straits.

“I’ve got to bring people together to make sure this is a state that hangs together going forward, making decisions we need to get this state growing again,” Mr. Lamont said.