DeLandro and Strong Announce Petitioning for Primary

Democratic Mayoral candidates Veronica T. DeLandro and Alicia Hernandez Strong have both announced the start of petitioning in an effort to qualify for a primary.

DeLandro’s campaign said that she,

picked up her petitions from the Registrar of Voters on Tuesday morning and her team immediately hit the ground to gather signatures and to promote her candidacy, gathering input from residents, and discussing the future of New Britain. Veronica’s daily presence at the doors continues to be enthusiastically greeted, as residents are eager for change. DeLandro said, “I am humbled and excited by the spirit and energy of the residents when they share with me a desire for a new direction in our city.

Tuesday was the first day that primary petitions were available.

Strong said that,

supporters for joining myself, Richard Lacourciere, and Nate Simpson on Monday to boycott the New Britain Democratic Convention!

Exactly as we predicted, the establishment politicians of the Democratic Party endorsed one of their own. But there is no doubt that the People’s Slate brought the most energy and excitement to the scene, in our movement to transform New Britain together.

Strong says she is organizing volunteers to, “collect signatures to get on the ballot in September and show the establishment that we have the people power!”

The Democratic Town Committee endorsed Rep. Bobby Sanchez (D-25) for Mayor on July 26th. He said,

I want to thank everyone that came out last night and a big “Thank you” to all the delegates that supported me! Looking forward to more door knocking and talking to voters in my hometown ‘New Britain’!

Rep. Sanchez said that,

I am humbled and honored to earn the support of the New Britain Democratic Party. This nomination is the result of months of knocking on doors, making phone calls, raising donations from New Britain residents and, above all else, building a coalition of support from every corner of this city.

DeLandro said, “While I did not receive the party’s endorsement, our campaign will continue to move onward as we know the most important endorsement comes from the residents when they make their decision on September 14, 2021.” Her campaign said that,

Veronica and her supporters were well represented at the recent New Britain Democratic nominating convention. Veronica’s name was placed into nomination by Democratic Town Committee (DTC) member Norma Brown and seconded by fellow DTC member Dan Price. Mrs. Brown noted in her fiery nomination that if the Democrats want to win, their only choice is Veronica T. DeLandro. Both the nomination and the seconding speeches were greeted with enthusiastic support.

DeLandro’s campaign says that her team,

has been tirelessly working the past seven months conducting listening sessions, community meetings and one-on-one sessions with residents. While hearing the residents’ needs and concerns, Veronica published an ACTION plan to improve the city’s schools, business community, health care and overall livability. These areas have greatly suffered neglect over the past eight years and the residents crave a change. Veronica is the only candidate that has a plan to help the city move in a new direction.

Nominations by the Democratic Party are a potentially two step process. If there is no primary, the Town Committee’s choice becomes the nominee of the Democratic Party. But, candidates not endorsed by the Town Committee can send the decision on the nomination to a Democratic primary by collecting petition signatures.

While the same process applies to the Republican Party, most observers believe that Republican Mayor Erin Stewart will become the Republican nominee without a primary of Republican voters.

The deadline for party members challenging for their parties’ nomination to submit petitions with enough signatures to qualify for a primary is August 11, 2021. In 2021, any primary would be held on September 14th.