About one hundred people gathered outside a popular market in the East Rock neighborhood Thursday, as Governor Malloy endorsed State Senator Toni Harp in her bid to become New Haven's next mayor.
The governor praised Harp’s work as co-chair of the legislature’s appropriations committee and called her “a monument to people who care about public service”. He said, "Because of her leadership in the worst budget difficulties that our state ever experienced, we moved forward on an earned income tax credit, on additional aid to cities for education, on education reform, on reaching out to our police departments and making them stronger. This is what local government is about."
Malloy said New Haven needs a woman mayor who can work with people to reach consensus.
Harp responded by saying she looked forward to working with the governor on issues affecting New Haven and other urban areas of the state.
"I think that together we can make Connecticut an example for the state about how we solve urban problems, about we make streets safer, about we eliminate the achievement gap, about how we bring jobs, jobs to our urban areas and our urban people."
Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman and State Majority Leaders Martin Looney also addressed the crowd, which included former New Haven mayoral candidates, union labor leaders, activists and local residents.
New Haven’s four-way Democratic mayoral primary takes place in September. Harp faces former city Economic Development Chief Henry Fernandez, Alderman Justin Elicker and High School principal Kermit Carolina.
For WNPR, I’m Diane Orson.