Thomas MacMillan Photo
As she launches a reelection bid, East Rock Alderman Jessica Holmes said she’s making one change this time around — running without money from political action committees.
Holmes (pictured), a first-term alderwoman, made that promise in a weekend email to constituents announcing her campaign kick-off on May 26 at Mezcal restaurant.
Holmes came to office as part of a wave of labor-backed freshman lawmakers who swept into power last year. When she ran in 2011, she did take political action committee (PAC) money. She received a total of $2,648.26 from committees, including money from labor unions. She received $3,010 in individual donations.
This year is different, Holmes said as Monday night’s meeting of the Board of Aldermen wrapped up.
“Last time, there was a political machine in place that I was taking on,” she said. “And I don’t feel that way now.”
Holmes ran in 2011 against incumbent alderman Matt Smith, who was part of a slate of candidates with backing from City Hall. (He subsequently took a job there after losing the election). Holmes was part of a slate of candidates endorsed by Locals 34 and 35 UNITE HERE.
Holmes said she now has an opportunity to “redouble my efforts” at having a “grassroots” campaign. She said her 2011 campaign was grassroots in terms of door-knocking and volunteer support. “This time I’m going to try to do that financially as well.”
Holmes doesn’t yet have a declared opponent in Ward 9, but she expects an opponent to surface. “You always have to figure someone will run,” she said.
Thorpe Runs Again
Meanwhile, in Dixwell’s Ward 22, an opponent to Alderwoman Jeanette Morrison has emerged. Cordelia Thorpe (at left in photo), who has run for aldermen repeatedly in at least two different wards, has filed papers to run.
In 2011, Thorpe was part of a four-way race in Ward 22, in which Morrison emerged the victor.
Thorpe, who will be 53 in July, talked about her candidacy on Saturday as she waited to have her picture taken with mayoral candidate State Sen. Toni Harp.
“I’m running because I want to move Dixwell/Yale forward,” she said. She called herself the “people’s candidate.”
Thorpe said she’s running on a platform of safety and jobs. She said she supports the NAACP’s homeownership program and reviving the Q House.
Thorpe, who’s retired from a career in the Department of Correction, said she’s “more politically organized this year.
“I’m prayerful that God will give me the strength to push forward,” she said. “I’m the people’s advocate, honey.”