Nick Defiesta Photo
At an opening party that drew hundreds to her new campaign headquarters, mayoral candidate Toni Harp urged supporters to brace for a tough race — in November.
About that Democratic primary in September? She’s already “claiming it.”
She made the remarks Friday evening, at a party that drew 300 supporters to the parking lot behind Harp’s new headquarters at 560 Whalley Ave. despite overcast skies.
Harp is one of five Democrats seeking to replace 20-year incumbent Mayor John DeStefano in a Sept. 10 Democratic Primary. Harp is in third place in the campaign fundraising race, but she is expected to receive her party’s nomination heading into the primary, and has received endorsements from a wide range of people. She recently described herself as the perceived “frontrunner.”
When Harp took the stage, she asked for volunteers to give their “blood, sweat and tears” to for a tough election — in November.
“Of course we’ve got to win in September first, but we’re claiming it,” Harp told the audience.
“Hands-down election!” one supporter shouted from the back in reply.
If she wins the primary, Harp is expected to face at least one repeat candidate, Justin Elicker, a Democratic alderman from East Rock. Elicker has said he plans to run as an independent candidate in November if he loses the primary.
Harp said Friday’s event marked the beginning of a new phase of more intensive vote-pulling leading up to the election, which will include daily phone banking and canvasses nearly every night.
“We need a lot of volunteers and this is a way to get everyone out and say we’re raring to go,” Harp said.
As supporters at Friday’s event grilled chicken …
…and painted faces…
… Harp chatted with voters, and her campaign team recruited new volunteers.
2011 mayoral candidate Clifton Graves introduces Toni Harp.
About halfway through the barbecue’s scheduled run-time of three hours, the band paused and former mayoral challenger Clifton Graves (pictured) took to the microphone. He told the assembled crowd that he supports Harp for mayor. He pointed to her support for his own candidacy two years prior.
“[Harp] is the only candidate that can bring together all the segments of our community,” Graves said. To illustrate his point, he named some of the elected officials present.
The crowd included aldermen like Migdalia Castro (at center in photo), who have largely flocked to support Harp …
Harp with Yale’s Mike Morand.
…former lawmakers like Yale’s Mike Morand (pictured) and Charles Blango, who have also endorsed the state senator …
Former challenger Gary Holder-Winfield.
…challenger-turned-supporter Gary Holder-Winfield (pictured), who took photos of the barbecue, …
Feen.
…and State Sen. Martin Looney and longtime Democratic fundraiser Carl Feen (pictured), who praised what he called Harp’s successful record in the state legislature.