Democrats Gear Up for 2015 Elections
By Chris Seymour | Correspondent at January 22, 2024 | 6:30 pm | Print
It may only be January, but it’s never too early to begin discussing the November Mayoral race and the potential Democratic challengers to Republican first-term mayor Erin Stewart.
With that in mind, The City Journal reached out to several potential candidates to get the very early lowdown on the 2015 mayoral race.
Alderman David DeFronzo is one politician who has yet to make a decision about running for mayor; however, “a number of people have been encouraging me to do it,” said DeFronzo of running, adding he will likely make a final decision in the next two months.
“As mayor, I would seek a more balanced approach to city finances that focuses on spending cuts and staffing levels rather than across the board tax increases,” said DeFronzo. “We need to work more effectively with our state delegation to take advantage of all state resources that are available and change our bonding priorities to reflect projects that improve the quality of life for city residents. New Britain is a wonderful city, with great people. We can do better, but we have to be willing to move past the policies of the last 12 years.”
DeFronzo clearly feels a change is needed since he noted that the city has had “virtually the same leadership for 10 of the past 12 years and despite the claims of some, the problems facing our city didn’t just materialize during one two year period.”
He continued, “I think we simply need a new, more professional approach to city government. Under the leadership of both Tim and Erin Stewart we have seen a reduction in resources to our police department, high levels of indebtedness, a deterioration of our parks and mismanagement of the budget process that culminated in an 11 percent tax increase last year.”
DeFronzo said he has heard other names mentioned as possible Democratic candidates, “but I think it is up to them to express their intentions publicly.”
One of those possible candidates is fellow Alderman Michael Trueworthy, who didn’t directly respond to an email inquiring about whether or not he planned on running for mayor. “The Democratic Party has a deep bench and I’m sure whomever the nominee is will be a very strong candidate,” said Trueworthy. “There’s not a lack of issues facing the voters, and I’m sure there will be a healthy debate for folks to choose who they want to be their leader.”
When asked via email whether or not she intends to run for mayor, Board of Education President Sharon Beloin-Saavedra was also non-committal, observing, “My decisions around running for office have always been based on what I might contribute to better our citizens quality of life and how effective I could be in working with the other elected officials on important issues,” she said. “Education has been and continues to be my passion and my priority. Education is the greatest equalizer.”
A Democratic Town Committee (DTC) nominating and candidate recruitment committee has begun work on endorsements for city offices this year, according to a press release from the DTC.
“The DTC is discussing a mayoral run with several high-profile Democrats who have the experience, maturity and skills to lead the city in 2015,” said DTC Chairman John McNamara in the press release.
In addition to endorsing a candidate for mayor, the Town Committee will endorse candidates for tax collector, treasurer, Common Council, Board of Education, Board of Assessment Appeals and Constable between July 21-28.
Interviews with municipal candidates will begin in early February; McNamara said the committee will consider all potential candidates and make recommendations to the 47-member DTC prior to July endorsements, according to the release.
Members of the DTC on the nominations group include former Schools Supt. Ron Jakubowski, DTC District Leader Jahaira Jimenez, Associate DTC member Rosemary Klotz, former BOE President Peter Kochol, Democratic State Central Committeewoman Emma Pierce, DTC Recording Secretary Ann Speyer and McNamara, according to the DTC.
The DTC said it invites prospective candidates for all offices to submit a candidate information form online at http://newbritaindemocrat.org/municipal-candidate-information-2015.
