Melissa Bailey Photo
Kermit Carolina said Sunday night that he has made his decision: He’s running for the Democratic mayoral nomination for mayor.
Carolina, the principal of Hillhouse High School, plans to file official papers to run this week.
In a release announcing his decision, Carolina stressed his New Haven roots — including living in the old Elm Haven projects and growing up in a single-parent home; attending public school here; owning a home in town; working for government; having kids in the public schools.
He also promised to take his campaign to every neighborhood.
His decision follows a meeting in the Hill last week at which members of his “exploratory” committee urged him to take the plunge.
Carolina, who is 45 years old, will join fellow Democrats Justin Elicker, Toni Harp, Gary Holder-Winfield, Henry Fernandez, Sundiat Keitazulu, and Matthew Nemerson in seeking the party’s nomination in a Sept. 10 primary to succeed retiring two-decade incumbent Mayor John DeStefano.
Following is the full text of the statement Carolina released Sunday evening:
“After several months of contemplating a run for public office — inclusive of the formation of the Exploratory Committee — I have decided to seek the office of Mayor of the City of New Haven. As a former resident of the Elm Haven Public Housing Project and a product of a single-parent home, I learned firsthand about the impact that poverty has on families. From this experience, I learned early on about the importance of sacrifice, resilience and the value of education.
“Being a graduate and current employee of the New Haven Public School system, I have developed a unique understanding and appreciation of the challenges faced by students and families across this city. Despite the many challenges the city is facing, my appreciation of New Haven has never wavered. My wife and I have been homeowners in this city for many years, my children attend New Haven Public Schools, and I have never worked in any other city. New Haven has always been my home.
“My decision to run is firmly rooted in my belief that New Haven can do better for those who have been locked out and forgotten. Poverty impacts us all. Poverty is at the root of crime, low educational achievement, high levels of unemployment and the dysfunction that exists in many families.
My candidacy will also address the challenges facing middle-class families. There must be a concerted effort to address superfluous expenditures and rising property taxes.
“We must also be audacious in our quest to find new sources of revenue. Such boldness requires leadership that is not wedded to the politics of the past, but rooted in a new vision for our city’s future.
“I look forward to bringing my campaign to every neighborhood in this city, and sharing my vision for New Haven’s future.”
Democracy Fund status? I would expect the NHI to ask him this as soon as possible.