Laura Glesby photo
Alder Caroline Tanbee Smith (center) with ward co-chairs Claudia Herrera and Sarah Fritchey.
Alder Caroline Tanbee Smith is now officially seeking another two years representing her East Rock/Fair Haven ward.
Smith, a Democrat, is the fifth incumbent alder to file paperwork to run in the Nov. 4 general election, along with two first-time candidates for Downtown’s Ward 1 and Fair Haven’s Ward 16.
Smith is currently serving in her first term as the alder of Ward 9, a district cleaved by a highway that straddles parts of East Rock and Fair Haven.
For the first year and a half of her time as an alder, Smith has made an effort to try and bridge that chasm. She led efforts to secure a $2 million federal “Reconnecting Communities” grant, which is slated to fund initiatives that bring new residential and pedestrian-oriented life to the underpasses below I‑91 and the adjacent Mill River neighborhood.
She’s also spent her first term promoting civic life in her ward and beyond through an “Alder for a Day” mentorship program, a T‑shirt design competition, and a “Know Your Neighbors” fund through the Arts Council supporting resident-led initiatives to build community, among other projects.
Smith has additionally worked on local efforts to respond to the Trump Administration, collaborating on the city’s first official guide to LGBTQ+ resources and rallying volunteers for Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services (IRIS) after dire funding cuts.
She arrived at the City Clerk’s office at 200 Orange St. on Friday alongside her two Democratic Party ward co-chairs, Sarah Fritchey and Claudia Herrera (who is also a former Ward 9 alder), and photographer Joel Callaway.
“Oh my God, Caro, you’ve been doing so much work!” Herrera exclaimed as she arrived, giving Smith a hug.
She submitted the forms to Deputy Town Clerk Mamie Gardner, who finalized the paperwork with an official stamp.
“I believe New Haven can be a model for a government that is a visible, effective, and trusted force for good in people’s lives,” Smith wrote in a Friday afternoon press release announcing her reelection campaign.
“I believe New Haven can be truly excellent and visionary about the core of what city government is for: safe neighborhoods, excellent schools, and quality sidewalks and streets. … And I believe New Haven can be the leader in tackling loneliness, isolation, and division head on.”
In addition to Smith, the following other candidates have filed to run for alder this year:
• Jake Siesel: Ward 1 (Downtown/Yale)
• Frank Redente: Ward 15 (Fair Haven), incumbent
• Jose Crespo: Ward 16 (Fair Haven), incumbent
• Nelys Calcano: Ward 16 (Fair Haven)
• Brittiany Mabery-Niblack: Ward 20 (Newhallville), incumbent
• Maceo Troy Streater: Ward 21 (Dixwell/Newhallville/Prospect Hill), incumbent
All of the alder candidates so far are Democrats. The primary elections for both major parties will take place on Sept. 9, and the general election will take place on Nov. 4.