HARTFORD, Conn. — Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin endorsed candidate Arunan Arulampalam for the capital city's upcoming mayoral race.
Arulampalam received endorsement from the Hartford Democratic Town Committee on Monday.
"I’ve known and worked with Arunan for many years, and I know that he loves this city, he understands both the challenges we face and the opportunities we have in front of us,” said Bronin.
The two met at the Parkville Market Thursday afternoon with the rest of the Democratic slate of candidates for city offices.
Arulampalam — the current CEO of Hartford Land Bank — previously served as deputy commissioner for the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection under Gov. Ned Lamont and as an attorney in Hartford.
"I don't know yet what it's like to serve as mayor, but I would imagine that when Luke was in my position eight years ago looking into his future, he probably didn't envision a bankruptcy, a global pandemic, all of these gut punches we’ve had as a city," said Arulampalam. "Yet every time Mayor Bronin has been punched, he’s gotten right back up and kept fighting for this city."
After nearly eight years in office, Bronin is not seeking re-election.
"I care so deeply about the future of this city, and about protecting the progress we’ve made, and about building on that progress and staying committed to the things we know build a stronger Hartford," Bronin said Thursday. "I think this is the team to do it and I think Arunan will be the mayor to do it."
Along with Arulampalam, there are several other candidates running as Democrats for Hartford mayor, including state senator John Fonfara and former Superior Court Judge Eric Coleman, along with Nick Lebron, J. Stan McCauley, Tracy Funnye, and Giselle Jacobs.
The primary election is Tuesday, September 12.
Emma Wulfhorst is a political reporter for FOX61 News. She can be reached at ewulfhorst@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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