HARTFORD, Conn. — The Democratic primary is less than a week away and tensions are growing in Connecticut’s Capital City. Three challengers facing off on the ballot on Tuesday, Sept. 12 and another is petitioning. Two candidates joined voices Wednesday against Mayor Luke Bronin’s pick for his current seat.
It was an appeal to residents in Torrington last month that caused former state senator and judge Eric Coleman and Councilman Nick Lebron to hold a joint press conference Wednesday with the shared message that “Hartford is not for sale.”
The message comes after a video surfaced of candidate Arunan Arulampalam, the CEO of Hartford Land Bank who is endorsed by Bronin, speaking with a room full of people in Torrington last month.
“You may not have a vote but by contributing, by getting involved in this election, you can have a say in what the city looks like and the level of investment we put into our Capital city,” Arulampalam is heard saying to voters in Litchfield Hills with Bronin by his side.
Coleman and Lebron aren’t joining campaigns just voices Wednesday.
They said Arulampalam’s efforts to raise money in Torrington are out of touch with the needs of Hartford residents.
“I am in support of and in favor of other municipalities working along with Hartford but I would never make an offer to an audience of another municipality that if they contribute to my political campaign they can have some say in what Hartford looks like,” Coleman said.
“In this particular situation there was a quid pro quo saying if you give dollars, you can have a say in what Hartford looks like. And so what that indicates to me is it’s a trade,” Lebron said.
Several elected officials formerly endorsed Arulampalam on Wedneday as well championing his experience working in the community.
Carmen Sierra, Hartford City Treasurer:
“I’m proud to support Arunan because like me, Arunan is a tireless advocate for the people of Hartford and he has shown me how committed he is to the work of listening and collaborating with leaders across Hartford. As Mayor, he will fight to reinvest in our neighborhoods and to rebuild our communities from within, making our streets safer and improving the quality of life for all of our families.”
Maly Rosado, Hartford City Council President:
“I know Arunan, he believes in our city, and I know he has what it takes to deliver for all of Hartford’s great neighborhoods. I am proud to stand with him in this primary because I know we will be able to work together to deliver on the promise Hartford offers. He’s already done it at the Hartford Land Bank in offering a path to home ownership and by training Hartford residents to take on and develop blighted properties, and I know as Mayor he will partner with our City Council to do so much more.”
State Senator John Fonfara was seeking votes from seniors in the Frog Hollow neighborhood Wednesday and seeking distance from the day’s political spat.
“I have a lot of confidence and faith in the voters of Hartford and they will decide what they feel is important for them,” he said.
Arulampalam’s campaign said he only raised $570 in Litchfield County that Saturday.
Mayor Luke Bronin said, “That’s exactly the message you carry anytime there’s a campaign—you want people to get involved.”
The Coleman and Lebron campaigns asked Arulampalam to return that money to Torrington but his campaign has not responded to that request.
The Democratic primary for mayor is Tuesday, September 12.
Samaia Hernandez is a reporter for FOX61 News. She can be reached at shernandez@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
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