Of all the races in Connecticut this year, perhaps none is more hard-fought than the one in the 33rd Senate District. The contest is for a seat being vacated by Republican Art Linares. With the state Senate now split evenly between both parties at 18 seats each, the battle for the 33rd could tilt the scales for either side.

The candidates vying for seat, Republican Melissa Ziobron and Democrat Norm Needleman, have attacked each other’s records repeatedly, sparking the passions of the voters from Clinton to Portland.

One example of the severity of this rhetoric is prominently featured in a video on the Needleman campaign’s YouTube channel titled "Melissa Ziobron Opposed Sexual Assault Legislation." The video shows voters sitting around a table expressing shock that Ziobron was one of only seven representatives to vote against the affirmative consent "yes means yes" bill.

"What she says to me with that vote is she could care less if my college-age daughter is sexually assaulted, and I will not vote for anybody who could care less about my daughter," says one of the women in the video.

By contrast, Ziobron has noted that, according to the state’s Elections Enforcement Commission, Needleman violated public financing rules in the 2016 election. Needleman hit back by attacking the influence of Super PAC money in the race.

With all of this controversy in the air, voters in the sprawling district have become energized by the fact that they could determine the balance of power in the State Senate.

For Jackson LaRose of Colchester, Needleman’s platform seems too closely associated to the Democrats’ nominee for governor, Ned Lamont.

"Ziobron does way less parroting of the gubernatorial platform, which I find refreshing," LaRose said. "The ridiculous Ned Lamont ‘grow the pie’ concept is a Democrat fantasy."

LaRose is also drawn to Ziobron for her positions supporting industrial hemp, marijuana legalization, expanding the cottage food industry and privatizing the DMV.

Needleman, who also supports marijuana legalization, has attacked this concept of Ziobron being an independent.

"She says ‘I’m bipartisan,’ but she’s really not," Needleman said. "She wants Republicans in control of the state. I get that. I want common sense people in control of the state. I want people who understand economic development, how to grow the economy, how to make the state work for everybody in charge. And I don’t care what party they’re part of."

Voters across the district often point to the economy as the key issue that they are weighing this year.

"Our lawmakers should do everything they can to eradicate the overbearing regulations that make it impossible for businesses to flourish in this state," said Linda Neal of Colchester. "We need taxpayers to pay the bills, and the taxpayers need jobs."

Ziobron has seized on the stagnant Connecticut economy as the key issue that she believes will propel her to victory in November.

"I hear it from voters over and over again," Ziobron said. "That’s the only issue people want to talk with me about at the door. They are really struggling to stay in Connecticut."

The 33rd Senate District seat is currently open after incumbent Republican Art Linares decided to launch an unsuccessful bid for the GOP’s state treasurer nomination earlier this year. In 2016, Linares had retained his seat by defeating Needleman 57 percent to 41 percent.