Thomas Breen file photo
Karen DuBois-Walton, now officially a candidate for state treasurer.
Karen DuBois-Walton has officially thrown her hat into the ring for state treasurer — and will not be leaving her post at the city’s housing authority during the campaign.
She made that announcement in an email sent out to city housing authority employees one day after a fellow active New Haven Democrat, Erick Russell, also formally jumped into that same statewide race.
DuBois-Walton, who runs New Haven’s housing authority and chairs the State Board of Education, sent out an email Friday afternoon to employees at Elm City Communities (ECC) and the Housing Authority of New Haven (HANH), letting them know that she will be running to replace outgoing State Treasurer Shawn Wooden.
She also formally registered her candidacy with the State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC) on Wednesday, making her Democratic run for treasurer official.
Russell, meanwhile, sent out an email to supporters on Thursday, letting them know that he has now resigned from his role as vice chair of the Connecticut Democratic Party and that he too has officially launched his candidacy for state treasurer.
Click here for a previous story about both New Haven Democrats’ then-expected runs for state treasurer in the wake of Wooden’s announcement that he won’t be seeking a second term.
The only other Democrat to make her run official for state treasurer so far is Greenwich’s Dita Bhargava. Republican Harry Arora of Greenwich is also officially running for the statewide post.
In her email to local housing authority employees Friday, DuBois-Walton wrote that “many people” had reached out to her to see if she would consider running.
“The State Treasurer is responsible for investments, bonds, state employee pension funds and creating opportunities for wealth creation through programs that promote financial literacy and asset building (e.g. CHET college savings and the new Baby Bonds program) among other things,” she wrote.
“The more I thought about it the more I saw the connections to the work that we have been doing here together — public financing, bonding and investments related to housing finance, pension management and building creative programs for wealth creation and financial literacy for families we serve.
“And so, after much thought and prayer, I am throwing my hat in the ring. I will be running for State Treasurer.”
DuBois-Walton added that, unlike during her 2021 Democratic mayoral primary challenge to Mayor Justin Elicker, she will not be leaving the housing authority to make the run.
“I will be here continuing to work with this amazing team to do what we do,” she wrote. “On my off time, I will be a candidate for office.”
Reached for comment Friday, DuBois-Walton confirmed for the Independent that she has officially filed her papers to run for state treasurer, and that she plans on making an official public announcement about her campaign soon.
Russell Announces, Reels In Endorsements
Bass photo
Erick Russell.
On Thursday, Russell sent out an email press release announcing that he too will be running for state treasurer. (As of Friday afternoon, he had not yet filed an official candidate registration form with the SEEC’s online database.)
“I’m excited and energized to announce my candidacy, and to begin a campaign that is focused on bringing greater stability, equity, and fairness to Connecticut’s finances, so that more of our citizens have the opportunity for growth and prosperity,” Russell is quoted as saying in that press release.
The email states that Russell grew up in New Haven, where his parents opened and ran a local convenience store where he worked after school. The press release states he was the first member of his family to graduate from college, and then the first to graduate from law school.
According to Russell’s press release, former state Lt. Gov. and former state Democratic Party Chair Nancy Wyman, Connecticut Speaker of the House Matt Ritter, Connecticut Comptroller Natalie Brasell, and former State Treasurer candidate Arunan Arulampalam are all backing his campaign.
“I’ve had the pleasure of knowing and working with Erick for more than 10 years, and I am very confident that his passion, experience, and values will make him an excellent Connecticut State Treasurer,” Wyman is quoted as saying in the press release.
“Erick is an outstanding attorney and he will make a fantastic State Treasurer,” Speaker of the House Matt Ritter is quoted as saying. “Erick’s life and career show a track record of compassion for his fellow Connecticut residents, and a desire to help build a brighter future for our state. I’m sure he will bring those strong values and vision to the Office of State Treasurer.”
“When I learned the treasurer’s seat would be open, my first thought was ‘I hope Erick runs’,” Comptroller Natalie Braswell is quoted as saying.
Just like Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson was the most qualified candidate for the Supreme Court, Karen Dubois-Walton is the most qualified person to serve as our State Treasurer.
She should be our next CT State Treasurer. Period.