Ignoring DeLandro, Republican Council Leader Seeks Candidates to Succeed Sanchez

With Democrats already backing Democrat Veronica T. DeLandro to succeed Representative-Elect Manny Sanchez (D-24) on the City Council, the Council’s Republican Majority Leader, Ald. Daniel Salerno (R-AL), has issued a press release seeking candidates for the seat.

Representative-Elect Sanchez was recently elected as the Twenty-Fourth District State Representative, succeeding Senator-Elect Rick Lopes (D-6) in the seat.

Rep.-Elect Sanchez is now recommending DeLandro to succeed him in the At-Large seat he currently represents on the Council. Sanchez posted a video recently on Facebook on why is supporting DeLandro. He has been joined by the other Democratic members of the City Council in supporting DeLandro. Since Sanchez was elected as a Democrat, the person chosen by the Council to complete the term to which he was elected must also be a Democrat.

DeLandro posted a video on why she is seeking the position. She has been supported by Senator-elect Lopes, State Representative Peter Tercyak (D-26), State Representative Bobby Sanchez (D-25) and Democratic City Treasurer Ron Jakubowski (D).

But, it was after DeLandro was announced as the Democrats’ choice for the seat, and DeLandro sought the Republican Council members’ support, as well, that Republican Majority Leader Salerno announced that, “he is actively searching for a vacancy candidate to be appointed by the Common Council.”

Salerno did, “thank Alderman Sanchez for his decade of service on the New Britain Common Council,” in the press release, but did not recognize Rep.-Elect Sanchez’ own choice of DeLandro as his Council successor.

Salerno’s press release drew wide criticism from prominent Democrats.

Ald. Chris Anderson (D-AL) said that, “Salerno has never been elected as a Democrat and is not the ranking Democrat,” to Salerno’s claim, though leading the Republican Council caucus, to being the “highest ranking” Democrat.

Likewise, Anderson pointed out that, “Manny Sanchez is currently the longest serving Alderman and is an elected Democrat,” to Salerno’s claim to having served longest.

Ald. Iris Sanchez (D-3) criticized Salerno’s gambit of claiming to be a Democrat. “How do you play this game???” she asked. “They play the ‘Bipartisan card’ when is only conveniente para ellos!!!”

“Presumptive and pompous,” said John McNamara, “as always demonstrating again the phony bipartisanship of Team Stewart. Mr. Salerno, consistent with his voting record on the Council, is just taking orders from the Mayor’s office. He is to the Mayor what Lindsey Graham is to 45,” referring to Republican President Donald Trump.

“Thank you, Chris, for your corrections and comments,” added Ann Speyer. “One more comment: Veronica Delandro served as Clerk of the Committees of the Common Council, as well as working for the District Office of Congresswoman Jahana Hayes. I think that is excellent, relevant experience.”

“I agree!” Anderson responded to Speyer. “Veronica understands how these systems work and is ready to get to work on day one–if the Republican majority agrees to her appointment.”

DeLandro has served as District Director for Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (D-5) and now provides consulting, training and coaching to nonprofit organizations at VTD Consulting Group, which she founded. She previously had a career at ESPN before she began working with organizations with a focus on philanthropy, college access and mentoring.

DeLandro ran for City Council in 2017, very nearly winning an upset victory in an uphill race in the City’s First Ward, where Republicans have historically had the advantage in city level elections, and then was selected as the City Council’s first woman and first African American Clerk of Committees. She has also previously served on the city’s Youth & Family Services Commission and the school system’s Graduation Odyssey Task Force.

A longtime community leader, DeLandro is on the Executive Board of the NAACP New Britain Branch and serves on the Board of the YWCA New Britain, co-chairing the YWCA’s Policy Committee. She is a founding member of the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving’s Black Giving Circle, and her biography notes her roles as, “Connecticut State Coordinator for the Eastern Region of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Recording Secretary for the North Atlantic Region of the National Hampton Alumni Association, Inc. and Technology Chair for the Greater Hartford Chapter of The Links, Incorporated.”

DeLandro was one of Connecticut Magazine‘s “40 under 40” of rising leaders, recognized for her leadership at the Inaugural MIP (Minority Inclusion Project) Honors Gala and was named one of the Top 25 Most Influential Blacks by the New Britain NAACP.

DeLandro is married and has two children.