HARTFORD, Conn. — The votes for one of the most closely watched Democratic primary mayoral races were still being counted more than two hours after the polls closed as one candidate declared victory.
Arunan Arulampalam, who currently serves as CEO at Hartford Land Bank, declared himself the victor of the Hartford Democratic mayoral race Tuesday night as he held an early lead in the polls. He was holding off a challenge from Eric Coleman, former state legislator and retired Superior Court judge, and State Sen. John Fonfara, who is the chairman of the General Assembly's finance committee.
The early poll numbers showed Arulampalam with 47% of the vote - with Fonfara at 29% and Coleman at 24%.
As of 10:30 p.m., Arulampalam had not received concession calls from the other two candidates in the race.
“I am honored to be the Democratic nominee for Hartford mayor, and I’m energized and ready to win again in November so that together we can realize a brighter, better future for our great city,” said Arulampalam in a statement Tuesday night. “Our coalition was as diverse and vibrant as the city itself. And, make no mistake about it, City Hall will be too. And together we will do the impossible, not because of who we voted for tonight, but because we are a city with boundless potential and you are all a part of that.”
He also thanked his primary opponents, saying they ran races that should be commended.
"I congratulate and thank John Fonfara and Eric Coleman for giving of their time and energy to take part in this primary," he said.
Arulampalam holds the endorsement from the Hartford Democratic Town Committee.
In November 2022, current Mayor Luke Bronin, a Democrat, announced he would not seek a third term in office.
The announcement was made on social media, with Bronin sharing his thanks to the Hartford community in a video. Bronin, 43, was sworn in as the 67th mayor of the City of Hartford on January 1, 2016, after he beat incumbent Pedro Segarra in the 2015 race.
"This has not been an easy decision, but it's the right one," Bronin said at the time. "The most that any of us can hope for is do the work well and then pass the baton."
Jennifer Glatz is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. She can be reached at jglatz@fox61.com.
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