New Haven Rising Endorses Russell For State Treasurer

A leading local labor advocacy group has thrown its political weight behind Erick Russell’s campaign for state treasurer — in advance of August’s contested Democratic Party primary, which will see two New Haveners on the ballot.

That’s according to an email press release sent out by Russell’s campaign on Thursday afternoon.

Russell — a Westville resident and attorney who previously served as vice-chair of the Connecticut Democratic Party — recently won the state party’s endorsement at its nominating convention in Hartford. He faces a primary challenge by fellow New Havener Karen DuBois-Walton and Greenwich’s Dita Bhargava.

In Thursday’s email press release, Russell said that New Haven Rising has endorsed his campaign to replace outgoing State Treasurer Shawn Wooden. The group is affiliated with Yale’s UNITE HERE unions.

“I’m proud to receive the endorsement from New Haven Rising,” Russell is quoted as saying in the press release. ​“They have a powerful voice and robust infrastructure that is prepared to deliver results and advocate for meaningful and lasting change in our community. Not only do they have the right vision for our city and state, they know how to get the work done — making calls, knocking doors, and winning elections.”

New Haven Rising’s support for Russell means that his campaign will have the benefit of a grassroots labor advocacy group that has played a key role in local and state Democratic Party elections over the past decade by knocking on doors, pounding the pavement, and turning out the vote for their endorsed candidates.

That turnout effort may prove crucial in the primaries, because it may be otherwise challenging to draw Democratic voters to the polls in August without primaries for higher-profile positions like governor or U.S. senator.

DuBois-Walton’s campaign has been endorsed by the state Working Families Party, another labor-affiliated group that works hard on voter turnout.

On the Republican side, State Rep. Harry Arora of Greenwich is running for treasurer.

Reached for comment on Thursday, New Haven Rising spokesperson Eleazar Lanzot said, ​“Erick has long participated in New Haven Rising events, and he represents New Haven’s best chance to get a seat at the table with a constitutional office.”

The treasurer is responsible for managing the state’s pension funds, managing state banking relationships and short-term investments, issuing and managing state debt, and handling property like uncashed checks and proceeds from stocks and bonds and mutual funds whose owners can’t be located.

“I am ready to make our progressive case for a brighter economic future right alongside these leaders” endorsed for other positions on the statewide ballot, Russell continued in Thursday’s email press release. ​“That includes expanding our financial literacy programs, protecting the pensions that our working families rely on, and using our powerful voice as a key shareholder and investor to advocate for shared progressive values: combating climate change, advancing human and civil rights, promoting corporate diversity, and improving public health and safety through strategic divestment.

“And most importantly, I’ll be ready to do my part to deliver our statewide ticket and win this November. Thank you to the membership and supporters of New Haven Rising for joining this campaign. I am grateful for your support and your commitment this Primary season.”