Thomas MacMillan Photo
Cut! Nemerson filming a campaign spot.
Matthew Nemerson is expected to drop out of New Haven’s mayoral race Monday and endorse Toni Harp.
The Harp campaign has scheduled a two-part press event for Monday afternoon including a “major endorsement.”
That endorsement, according to people familiar with the development, will come from Nemerson, a former Chamber of Commerce president who is one of 7 Democrats who filed to run for mayor in the quest to succeed retiring two-decade incumbent John DeStefano.
Nemerson’s campaign never gained traction after some initial missteps. He presented himself at debates as a candidate willing to level with voters about important city decisions rather than pander to them. At the same time, he made a George H. W. Bush-like “read my lips”-style promise not to raise taxes under any circumstances, without identifying specific cuts he would make in government.
Harp has scheduled a 4 p.m. “unveiling of a new economic development policy” for the city; Nemerson ran in part on his experience with economic development. The “major endorsement” is set to come in a separate event at 5 p.m. In addition to Nemerson, the event was to feature 20 Dixwell business owners who support Harp.
Nemerson released a statement Monday afternoon detailing the deal: He and campaign treasurer Angel Fernandez-Chavero will become Harp campaign co-chairs, helping to direct fundraising and policy development.
“I entered [the] mayor’s race 13 weeks ago excited to offer a unique vision about making New Haven a great global small city. At the onset I had conversations with leaders from across our community, hoping to forge a unique coalition among labor, business, Yale and our neighborhoods. While not a typical politician, I thought that my 30 years of experience in economic and community development, transportation and education policy plus my relationships with local and state business and innovation leaders could be a base for leading and growing our very special city,” the release quotes Nemerson as saying.
“I felt from the beginning that the complexity and seriousness of the financial, political and policy challenges facing the new mayor requires a new and very broad base of support with all key factions sitting around the same table. Without this success will be impossible. Therefore, in recognition of her broad coalition and the clear respect she engenders across the city, I have decided that it is appropriate and right for me to endorse State Senator Toni Harp at this time. She is seeking to create the coalition that we need. Given her background and style, my expectation is that she will be able to lead this diverse group in the open, honest and innovative way that will be best serve New Haven. ”
Who’s Next?
Speculation had initially centered on a different candidate, state Rep. Gary Holder-Winfield, as the candidate most likely to drop out of the race first. Holder-Winfield had originally had the backing of Harp, a fellow state legislator, in the race; then Harp changed her mind and ran herself.
Holder-Winfield said Monday that he has no plans right now to drop out of the race. He didn’t rule out dropping out at some point.
“I’m always thinking about what the best thing to do” is, he said. “I’ve been doing that since the moment I got into this.”
Sundiata Keitazulu, another candidate, said Monday there’s a “75 percent chance” he will drop out, as well, some time next month.
“If things don’t pick up in July, I’ll be endorsing Senator Harp, too,” Keitazulu said.
He said he was “sorry to hear Matt’s dropping out, though. Matt’s a valuable player in this race. He addresses the issues that need to be addressed, business issues and jobs. He’s well-connected to the business community.”
So he is going to support someone that supports the Gas Tax that is going to have a major impact on New Haven residents.