DeLandro Officially Proposed for Council Seat

Democrat Veronica T. DeLandro has officially been proposed to succeed Representative-Elect Manny Sanchez (D-24) on the City Council.

The six remaining Democratic Council members have all joined together to propose a resolution that would name DeLandro to complete the current term of office, including Ald. Francisco Santiago (D-5), Ald. Chris Anderson (D-AL), Ald. Aram Ayalon (D-3), Ald. Colin Osborn (D-2), Ald. Richard Reyes (D-AL) and Ald. Iris Sanchez (D-3).

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. Under the City Charter, it is the Council who chooses people to people to fill vacancies in most city offices, including Council seats.

“State Representative-elect Emmanuel Sanchez and the Democratic
Caucus of the New Britain Common Council,” the resolution says, “with the full support of the New Britain Democratic Town Committee, nominate Veronica T. DeLandro to fill the vacancy.”

The resolution goes on to say that,

Veronica T. DeLandro served on the Consolidated School District of New Britain’s Graduation Odyssey Task Force, served as a Commissioner for the City of New Britain’s Youth and Family Services, was the first African American woman to be appointed as Clerk of Committees of the Common Council, served as District Director for Congresswoman Jahana Hayes, and currently represents members of New Britain’s 15th voting district on the Democratic Town Committee.

Rep.-Elect Sanchez posted a video recently on Facebook on why is supporting DeLandro, as did 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. 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).

DeLandro posted a video on why she is seeking the position.

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.

The resolution to name DeLandro is on the agenda of the December 9, 2020 Council meeting. That meeting begins at 7:00pm.

The agenda for the Council meeting says,

Due to current public health concerns, this meeting will not be open to the public. Members of the public may view a live broadcast of the meeting online via the live stream link: http://www.newbritainct.gov/meetings

Individuals seeking public participation may join the queue beginning at 6:45 pm by calling 1 (609) 663-5783.