HARTFORD, Connecticut — The city of Hartford has a new mayor-elect.
Arunan Arulampalam will succeed outgoing Mayor Luke Bronin after beating off challenges from five other candidates during Tuesday’s mayoral election, according to the Associated Press.
Arulampalam, who won the Democratic primary in September, was the party-endorsed candidate and for many experts, was the frontrunner in the race.
He received more than 1,679 votes on Tuesday, which was enough to fend off challenges from Republican Michael McGarry, and independent candidates Mark Stewart Greenstein, Giselle “Gigi” Jacobs, Nick Lebron, and J. Stan McCauley.
“I am humbled and honored to be elected the next Mayor of the great City of Hartford, and I’m energized and ready to get to work on behalf of all residents of Hartford,” Arulampalam said in a statement after the win. “Our campaign was built on seeds of hope and a recognition that we are a city with boundless potential. Residents from every corner of our Hartford rallied together, and together we are going to move our city forward – not because of who was elected tonight, but because of the same spirit of unity and compassion that has propelled this campaign to victory.”
He continued: “Our campaign earned grassroots, diverse support across communities in Hartford by knocking on thousands of doors, speaking with voters about key issues that my administration will get to work addressing on day one. They include: reinvesting in neighborhoods and creating opportunity for all communities, improving public safety, and strengthening Hartford’s public education system. Together we will invest in our neighborhoods, empower our residents, and build a brighter future for our children. This victory marks a new era for Hartford, and together we will realize the promise of this great city.”
Arulampalam is currently the CEO of the Hartford Land Bank, a non-profit organization that identifies and acquires vacant, abandoned, tax-delinquent, and/or distressed properties in the city. The organization then rehabilitates the property.
In November 2022, current mayor 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.
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