Mayor Stewart Will Not Run for Fifth Term

By Robin Vinci at May 3, 2024 | 9:20 pm | Print

After eight years, Republican Mayor Timothy Stewart with tears in his eyes, announced Tuesday evening at a Republican Town Meeting that he will not run for re-election.

“After careful consideration and consultation with my family, friends and political supporters, I have decided not to seek re-election to a fifth term as Mayor of the City of New Britain,” Stewart told a crowd of about 50 people. “I have truly been honored to serve the people of New Britain as its mayor for the past four terms. Being the number one resident of the City is an honor I will cherish for my entire life. I have been humbled by the support the people of New Britain have showed me during my tenure. To be elected to lead the city that I was born, raised and have worked in for 26 years has been a dream come true for me, but just like any other occupation I believe it is time for me to pass the torch to someone else.”

In 2009 Stewart was named mayor for the fourth term by a vote of 4,548 to 4,384 over Democratic State Representative Tim O’Brien.

Stewart said he believes there should be a limit to how long someone should be in a certain office as an elected official.

In his four terms Stewart brought in Celebration Foods, started building a new police station, enacted the Clean City Initiative, started infrastructure projects like Broad St., Shuttle Meadow Ave., Whiting St. and Walnut Hill Park. He also put in a new garbage system including a very successful recycling program that saved the city money.

Stewart said his most significant accomplishment was keeping the tax rate down for seven of his eight budget years.

“That is truly something to be proud of,” he said.
Stewart said he was planning to go into the private sector, but may return to politics one day if he “gets the fire back”.

“Let me leave you with an observation I have made over the years about the many people who get involved in this silly game of politics in New Britain. It’s nice to be important in one’s community, but it’s more important to be nice. So, please be kind and work for the betterment of this community and we will all make a positive difference and make New Britain a better place to live,” concluded Stewart.
The Mayor’s wife Patricia and daughter Erin were among those in attendance for the announcement.

“It’s been an honor knowing Tim,” said Dwight Blint, Republican Town Chairman. “Tim is irreplaceable to me.”

In February, Stewart lost the 6^th district state senate race to Democrat Terry Bielinski Gerratana by over 300 votes.

A Republican candidate to run for mayor has not been named, but many anticipate Mark Bernacki to run for mayor. Bernacki, a business owner of Sir Speedy Printing in downtown New Britain for the past 20 years, has been an Alderman on the City Council for the past 18 years. He has served as Mayor pro tempore for ten years, a post to which he was elected by his peers.

“I’ve got a lot of discussions to hold with people in the town committee,” said Bernacki when asked Tuesday evening if he planned to run for mayor. “Tim has done a wonderful job in the past eight years that he’s been the mayor. He has held the taxes stable which allowed the business community to hold its breath.”
Bernacki said there is a lot of excitement coming to New Britain and that whoever runs needs to take the initiatives Stewart started.

Two New Britain Democrats - Alderman Paul Catanzaro and State Rep. Tim O’Brien (D-24) - have announced their intentions to run for mayor.

Catanzaro is in his fourth term as Alderman at Large. He works in the parks and recreation department for the city.

O’Brien is in his fifth term as state representative. O’Brien, was on the city council for five years before becoming state representative.

.News Feature