Allan Appel Photo
Carolina files with Deputy City Clerk Sally Brown.
Kermit Carolina Thursday joined the field of mayoral candidates securing ballot spots for two separate elections, as he submitted papers to run as an independent in November.
Carolina (pictured with deputy city clerk Sally Brown) is one of five Democrats running for mayor this year to succeed retiring 20-year incumbent John DeStefano. Carolina’s campaign on Wednesday began circulating petitions to obtain 2,406 signatures of registered voters needed to place his name on the Sept. 10 Democratic primary ballot.
Meanwhile, on Thursday morning, Carolina visited the city clerk’s office at 200 Orange St. to file papers to take out petitions for a separate race: the Nov. 3 general election. He aims to collect the 155 signatures needed for a spot on that ballot, as well, in case he doesn’t prevail in the Democratic primary. His name would appear on an independent line.
Another Democratic candidate, Justin Elicker, has also done that. He intends to run in both races, as well — ensuring that New Haven is now entering an era in which winning a Democratic primary is no longer tantamount to winning a general election. The last time someone other than a Democrat won a mayor’s election was in 1951. But now the city has 18,377 unaffiliated voters as of the most recent count, and general elections are seen as winnable. The city has 2,540 registered GOP voters, compared to 48,140 registered Democrats.
“In the midst of getting these petitions to run in the Democratic primary, I thought it was a great opportunity to also meet the qualifications for running as an independent in the general election. I don’t anticipate needing it. We have a great opportunity to pull this upset in the Democratic Party, because the voters will have the final say. But just in case, I want to keep my options open,” Carolina said.
Carolina cited the example of a former Democratic U.S. senator who lost a primary and then won a three-way general election as an independent.
“Joe Lieberman opened the door for Democratic candidates to use the option to run an independent when he triumphed over the Democratic-backed candidate Ned Lamont in the 2006 [U.S.] Senate race,” he noted. “He received almost 50 percent of the vote. I want to have that same option.”
Democratic mayoral candidate Toni Harp has said she will not run in the general election if she loses the primary. Candidate Henry Fernandez has left the option open. A fifth candidate, Sundiata Keitazulu, said Wednesday that he may skip the primary and run only in the general — since so many fewer signatures are required to make the ballot.
“If we’re really talking about representing all of New Haven, all of New Haven should be heard,” Carolina said.
Split that black vote! Where's Clifton Graves? Oh wait he's with Harp now.
I wonder how Gary Holder-Winfield will feel sitting on the sidelines while Carolina takes it to the hole.