Markeshia Ricks Photo
Luiz Casanova.
First Luiz Casanova sued Mayor Toni Harp for not naming him police chief. Now he has endorsed a candidate looking to boot her from City Hall.
Casanova endorsed the candidacy of Justin Elicker, who is challenging Harp for the Democratic mayoral nomination.
A release issued Monday by Elicker’s campaign quoted Casanova calling Elicker “a true supporter of community policing” who “will ensure that our Police Department will continue to employ community policing. He stimulates thoughtful thinking. He has been a respected advocate for the New Haven community and will earn the trust of the people of New Haven through hard work. He is not only a good listener but is in touch with the issues and the City’s infrastructure, and has a true understanding of what the concerns are in New Haven. Justin works on bringing different viewpoints and people together for the good of the community. Justin is a person who is dedicated to service above self, with integrity, commitment and vigor. He will find solutions on the issues by being a hands-on mayor.”
The same release quoted retired Fire Chief Michael Grant endorsing Elicker as well.
Casanova, who developed strong ties in the Fair Haven community as its district manager and worked closely with immigrant rights activists, retired from the department June 30. The retirement came in conjunction with a deal to drop a lawsuit against Harp charging that she racially discriminated against him by not naming him the police chief in 2017. Harp chose Anthony Campbell at the time instead. (Campbell has since retired, and Harp has chosen Otoniel Reyes to succeed him.)
Click here to read a story about Casanova’s lawsuit, which asked a federal judge to order the mayor name Casanova the chief.
Casanova becomes the latest in a string of former city officials who have backed Elicker, including ex-Chief Administrative Officer Michael Carter and Commission on Equal Opportunities Executive Director Nichole Jefferson, who also sued Harp, when she removed her from her position.
Casanova held a retirement party last week at Anthony’s Ocean View. Elicker attended; Harp did not.
In the campaign release Elicker addressed police and fire issues.
“We have a police department that is losing officers to the suburbs due to low pay and low morale because officers have been three years without a contract. We have a fire department that has many officers unnecessarily on paid administrative leave and seven vehicles out of service. We must ensure the safety of our city, and that starts with strong leadership and good management,” Elicker stated.