DeLauro Endorses Elicker

New Haven’s longtime congresswoman has thrown her support behind Mayor Justin Elicker in his bid for a third two-year term in local office, citing city government’s budget surpluses and investments in ​“our most vulnerable communities” during his tenure as reasons for her endorsement.

On Tuesday afternoon, Elicker’s reelection Campaign Manager Shad Wojciechowski sent out an email press release announcing that U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro has endorsed Elicker.

“I am excited to endorse Mayor Justin Elicker for a third term because he is a strong advocate for New Haven across all levels of government,” DeLauro, a 17-term Democrat who recently chaired the powerful House Appropriations Committee, is quoted as saying in the press release. ​“Mayor Elicker and I have worked together to secure funding for education, public safety, housing, and infrastructure to drive investment in our most vulnerable communities and make our city better. Mayor Elicker is working hard to lift up historically underserved communities. He is fulfilling his promise to make New Haven a city where everyone has a chance to succeed no matter which neighborhood they live in.” 

She continued: ​“It’s important to remember how far New Haven has come. Under Mayor Elicker’s leadership, New Haven has had three years of budget surpluses, a credit rating upgrade, and increased revenue from Yale and the State. There is still work to do but voters can feel confident that their Mayor is moving our city in the right direction. Under Mayor Elicker’s leadership, I know that New Haven is in highly capable hands and I look forward to our continued partnership throughout his next term.”

Elicker is running for reelection in a crowded field this municipal election year. Depending on how the registrar of voters’ review of challenger petitions shakes out, he could face three Democratic challengers during the Sept. 12 primary: retired police sergeant and former alder Shafiq Abdussabur, former legal aid attorney Liam Brennan, and ex-McKinsey consultant Tom Goldenberg. Both Goldenberg and Abdussabur will also likely have their names on the general election ballot on Nov. 7, as Goldenberg has been cross-endorsed by the local Republican Party and Abdussabur has filed to run as an independent. Fellow independent mayoral challengers Wendy Hamilton and Mayce Torres have also filed to appear on the Nov. 7 ballot.