Contributed Photo
Newhallville’s highest-voting ward will have a chance to vote on Sept. 16, in an aldermanic primary.
Teresa Hines (pictured), a Yale ITS administrator and organizer of the Newhallville Community Resilience Team, submitted enough signatures of voters to the city clerk’s office to qualify for a Democratic primary for the position, in Ward 20, the office confirmed Thursday.
Hines is taking on two-term incumbent Delphine Clyburn, who has received the endorsements of the Democratic Town Committee and Mayor Toni Harp. (Click here to read about Clyburn’s reelection announcement, here to read about recent community clean-ups she organized, and here about questions she has raised about the implementation of a $1 million crime-fighting grant for the neighborhood.)
Paul Bass Photo
Clyburn (pictured), a state social worker and union activist, came to office as part of a pro-labor slate.
Hines, too, has been an active union member, of Yale’s UNITE HERE Local 34, a top vote-pulling force in local politics. Hines cited her union experience in a letter to Local 34’s executive board seeking its endorsement.
“I am a proud and active dues paying member of Local 34, and have been for the last 25 years,” Hines wrote. “I am a loyal member who want and need your support. Please provide me with the appropriate process to gain the endorsement of Local 34 and our affiliated allies.”
She’ll get the chance within the next two weeks, according to Local 34 President Laurie Kennington.
“We are interviewing both candidates,” Kennington said, “in all the [wards] where we know there are races.”
I know Teresa. She is a very solid and engaging community worker who has given much to Newhallville. 25 years of community participation. Once you meet her, you will know she will do Ward 20 proud when she is elected.