Many important stories have been covered by the New Britain Progressive in 2019. It may be difficult to name only a few articles as the top stories of the year, but there are a few the New Britain Progressive would like to share as our Top Ten. Other Top Ten stories can be found at “Top Ten Stories of 2019.”
Democrat Chris Porcher made history in his candidacy to lead the city of New Britain as Mayor in the 2019 city elections.
Porcher brought a wave of excitement to city politics, especially among young city residents, when it was announced that the Democratic Party’s Nominating Committee was recommending him as the Democrats’ nominee for Mayor (Democratic Panel Chooses Porcher for Mayor), and when he officially announced his candidacy. (Democrat Porcher Announces Candidacy for Mayor.)
Saying that he was running, “because I absolutely feel that the city of New Britain needs to be reunited again,” and that, “none of our problems are unsolvable,” candidate Porcher was called the “real deal” by legendary political and community leader Alton Brooks at a large event kicking off his campaign (Brooks Calls Porcher “The Real Deal”.), after which the New Britain Democratic Party officially nominated him as its Mayoral candidate. (Democrats Endorse Porcher.)
A nonprofit program director, who graduated from NBHS and CCSU and holds a Masters Degree in Business Management, Porcher highlighted issues of property taxes, education and “bringing social change and creating an inspirational movement that we are in desperate need of.”
Porcher was honored by the NAACP New Britain Branch in October, as the “1st Black or African American mayoral candidate endorsed by a major political party in New Britain.”
While Porcher was not elected in the 2019 election, his candidacy brought new energy and enthusiasm, as well as new activists, to New Britain Democratic Party politics.
Whether Porcher, himself, who is still a young political figure, will stand for election again soon, as well as whether the people inspired by his candidacy will continue their activism, are questions likely to affect the news in New Britain in 2020 and beyond. Some people have already been talking about changing the leadership of the Democratic Party in the upcoming Democratic Town Committee elections, after frustrating defeats for Democrats in 2019, while many people are focusing on the upcoming presidential election.
But, whatever the future may hold, the historic candidacy of Chris Porcher, the Democratic candidate for Mayor, was one of the most important stories in the New Britain Progressive‘s Top Ten Stories of 2019.
Democratic Panel Chooses Porcher for Mayor
April 9, 2019
Local activist Chris Porcher has been chosen by the New Britain Democrats’ Nominating Committee to run for mayor in this year’s election.
Democratic Chair Bill Shortell informed local Democratic activists recently that the city Democratic Party’s Nominating Committee had voted unanimously to recommend Porcher for the city’s top position.
The panel’s recommendation is to be presented to the full Democratic Town Committee in July, when the Democratic Party’s endorsements for city offices is to occur.
Shortell described Porcher as
a health care professional and program director, who has worked in the city for the last seven years. He is an advocate and educator in service to youth, adults and families. We are impressed with his abilities as an administrator for a nonprofit organization with oversight of 50 plus staff. His experience in working with all segments of the community and in every neighborhood, together with his desire for change, will be a step forward for the city.
Shortell said that Porcher, a graduate of CCSU who holds a master degree from the University of Saint Joseph in business management, is planning to hold a press conference this week.
“I’m excited about our chances to re-take the Mayor’s office with Chris,” said Shortell. “He’s new, young, intelligent, energetic, serious, and eager to serve New Britain, where he has lived all his life.”
Democrat Porcher Announces Candidacy for Mayor
April 12, 2019
Democrat Christopher Porcher kicked off his campaign for mayor, saying that he wants City Hall to represent everybody in New Britain.
“I am running for mayor,”said Porcher, “because I absolutely feel that the city of New Britain needs to be reunited again.”
He said that the city’s people, “deserve to be in the room and sitting at the table when we are having conversations discussing issues that might affect you.”
A crowd of a hundred supporters joined Porcher in New Britain’s Central Park, across the street from City Hall, to hear him talk about the campaign ahead.
Porcher said that he was overwhelmed by the enormity of support that he has received since he announced his campaign for mayor. He said that he is excited about bringing that new energy to the city.
He talked about supporting people who have been marginalized, such as the homeless and supporting education in the city. He challenged the city to bring innovative thinking to the city’s future.
“I have dedicated all of my working years to social services and assisting other residents,” Porcher in a statement released before his announcement event. “I am dedicated to bringing social change and creating an inspirational movement that we are in desperate need of.”
“I have unique experiences of being a public servant and an administrator who will serve the citizens of New Britain well,” he continued. “As manager in a nonprofit organization, I have served as an innovative leader who is dedicated to bringing change and hope for all people. I have the experience of overseeing budgets and making tough decisions in the best interests of people.”
Porcher said that, “I am well aware of the increased burden of property taxes for the average citizen of New Britain. Mortgages and escrow payments have increased faster than income. We must take action in order to keep New Britain an affordable place to live. New Britain has the ability to be a leader; not a follower. I am committed to leading a forward thinking government that values education and economic growth.
“This is not my personal agenda,” said Porcher, “but the agenda for the people.”
Porcher was recently supported unanimously by the local Democratic Party’s nominating committee. The Democratic Party’s Town Committee does it’s official candidate endorsements in July.
The city elections, including the election for mayor are to be on November 5, 2019.
Brooks Calls Porcher “The Real Deal”
May 5, 2019
Calling Democratic mayoral candidate Christopher Porcher, “the real deal,” Mr. Alton Brooks called on the New Britain community to rally to support his election.
The widely respected and honored Mr. Brooks was speaking at Porcher’s campaign kickoff event on May 4, 2019.
Mr. Brooks, Democratic Vice Chair Ronald Davis and Democratic Chair William Shortell spoke to hundreds of Porcher supporters gathered at the Pride of Connecticut Elks Lodge on Elm Street, introducing the candidate.
Porcher compared the challenges faced by his own family, and he, himself, with the challenges New Britain, as a city, faces, and a resilience in both, saying, “none of our problems are unsolvable.”
He spoke about the issues of education funding, property taxes infrastructure and the plight of the needy.
Porcher was chosen in April by the New Britain Democrats’ Nominating Committee to run for mayor in this year’s election. The Democratic Party’s full Town Committee is make to official endorsements for city offices in July.
If Porcher is the Democratic Party nominee, as is widely expected, he will challenge three-term incumbent Republican Mayor Erin Stewart. In April, Stewart announced her candidacy for re-election in the 2019 city elections.
The city elections, including the election for mayor, are to be on November 5, 2019.
Democrats Endorse Porcher
July 18, 2019
Chris Porcher has been officially endorsed for Mayor by the Democratic Town Committee, the governing body of the New Britain Democratic Party.
Democratic Vice-Chair Ronald Davis nominated Porcher, and the Democratic Town Committee then unanimously endorsed Porcher.
The decision means that he will be the Democratic Party nominee, unless he is challenged in a primary, which did not appear likely as of the Democratic Town Committee meeting.
If he officially becomes the Democratic Party nominee, he will challenge Republican Mayor Erin Stewart, who was endorsed by the Republican Town Committee.
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