Thomas MacMillan Photo
As he begins his campaign to become the next downtown alder, Paul Phillipino said he already has leg up in the race — because he’s a Republican.
In New Haven.
You don’t usually hear in that in a city that elects zero Republicans to its 30-member Board of Alders or to any of its state legislative seats, let alone to the mayor’s office. (The last Republican won that seat in 1951.)
But in an upcoming special election, Phillipino (pictured) argued, he’ll have an “outsider” status that will help him win votes.
Phillipino’s opponent in the race, Democrat Abby Roth, said the Republican’s claim might have merit, “if he were running against someone who is more entrenched in some way.”
She said she’s not part of any political machine or insider group.
“I think of myself as more independent-minded,” she said. Roth said she wouldn’t be a part of the labor-backed Democratic majority on the board, nor would she necessarily join the alternative “People’s Caucus.”
Downtown’s Ward 7 voters will head to the polls to choose between Roth and Phillipino on Monday, March 17. The two candidates are vying for the seat recently vacated by Doug Hausladen when he was appointed the city’s new traffic tsar.
Paul Bass Photo
Roth (at left in photo, with Democratic Ward Co-chair Alberta Witherspoon), who’s 45, moved back to New Haven seven years ago. She works as a special assistant to the dean of the Yale School of Management. Click here for more about Roth, who announced her candidacy last month.
Phillipino, who’s 28, announced his candidacy on Monday. In an interview this week in the Woodland Cafe coffee shop on Orange Street, he shared a little bit about his background.
A Massachusetts native, he moved to town six years ago to work for the Knights of Columbus. The job drew him to New Haven after he graduated from College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts. He lives in the Smoothie building at the edge of Wooster Square and downtown.
Phillipino said he has volunteered for Republican political campaigns — Chris Shays’ senatorial quest, Andrew Roraback’s bid for Congress — but has never run for office himself. “I’ve always been interested in politics, since high school,” he said.
If elected, he would focus on public safety and quality of life issues, Phillipino said.
“I think my chances are good,” he said. “Being an outsider works in my favor.”
He said he has the support of the Republican Town Committee and will be able to enlist help from college Republicans.
Phillipino said he worries that the involvement of Yale’s labor unions in city government has led to elected officials who put “special interests” ahead of city interests.
Roth said labor involvement has caused the Board of Alders to become “a more powerful entity than it has in the past.”
She said she was approached by the unions and by the People’s Caucus when she announced her candidacy. “I’m not affiliated with either,” she said. “I like the idea of keeping a more independent mind.”
On the budget, Phillipino said he’s looking for Mayor Toni Harp to do a better job securing payment in lieu of taxes funding from the state, to help avoid tax increases.
Roth agreed. “I think it’s critical that we don’t increase taxes right now. I think that would drive people out of the city,” she said. “We need to find ways to expand the base. … and to get more money from the state.”
Both candidates said they’ll be pounding the pavement and knocking on doors until the election on March 17.
Mr. Phillipino should take note from Mr. Mullins failed to win the State Senate seat as a Republican. As a basic campaign strategy, try not say crazy $#!t every time you open your mouth.