EAST HARTFORD, Conn — East Hartford has a new mayor-elect.
Democrat Connor Martin is projected to succeed current Mayor Mike Walsh, who announced earlier this year he would not seek reelection.
Martin received 3,106 votes, beating a challenge from Republican Salema Davis, who received 1,204 votes, with 100% of the precincts voting. The absentee ballots - about 605 - are missing from the tally; they are not enough to change the final result.
Martin currently serves as the chief of staff for outgoing mayor Mike Walsh. Raised by a single mother in East Hartford, he went to Sports Medical Science Academy and received his bachelor's and master's degrees from Goodwin University. He was elected to the Town Council at the age of 28. His platform includes the continuing economic development of the Founder’s Plaza area and Rentschler Field.
He wants to work on enhancing the overall resident experience on Main Street, by promoting dining, shopping, retail, and housing while improving walkability and safety. Martin also wants to improve access to resources by reducing language barriers, and promoting jobs programs for underserved youth.
Davis is currently the executive director at The George Walker Jr. Community Coalition. She is on the town’s economic development commission.
Walsh decided not to seek re-election in the summer. Gov. Ned Lamont has appointed him to be the chair of the State Contracting Standards Board.
Doug Stewart is a Senior Digital Content Producer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dstewart@fox61.com.
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