James Seeks Harp’s Senate Seat

Jackie James, the leader of New Haven’s Democratic Party, has begun putting together a campaign to seek the state Senate seat about to be vacated by Toni Harp.

James (pictured) confirmed Monday that she plans to seek the party’s endorsement in a special election for the 10th Senate District seat, which covers about half of New Haven and a slice of West Haven.

Harp, who has held the seat for 21 years, plans to resign from it at the beginning of January as she begins to serve as New Haven’s mayor.

Under state law, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy will have 10 days to issue a ​“writ of special election” following the effective date of Harp’s resignation, according to secretary of the state spokesman Av Harris. The special election will then take place 46 days after the issuance of that writ. Governors tend to issue the writs on Fridays so the elections can take place on Tuesday. The election could take place as early as mid-February, as late as in March.

James, who chairs the city’s Democratic Town Committee and has represented the Hill neighborhood’s Ward 3 as an alderwoman since 2001, called the Senate quest ​“a natural progression for me. I am very excited about it.”

“I have worked my way up politically. I started off as a ward chair and an alderman,” she said. ​“I’m a public servant. Anybody that knows me knows I love serving the public. I love working with people. I think I’m capable and qualified of doing the job at that level. It is a public service thing for me.”

If elected, James said, she would step down as alderwoman and town chair.

James said she has already lined up support among many party ward chairs and members of the Board of Aldermen, including board President Jorge Perez. That would give her a leg up in the process of gaining her party’s nomination. In a special election, the Democrats don’t hold a primary. They reconvene the convention that made the last 10th District endorsement; that group consists largely of ward chairs.

Jorge Perez confirmed that he plans to support James. ​“She has been a longtime friend and colleague. I think she’d be a great state senator,” Perez said.

James is the second elected official to say she plans to seek the soon-to-open seat. State Rep. Gary Holder-Winfield told the Independent earlier this month that he intends to run. (Read about that here.)

Holder-Winfield (pictured) said Monday that James’ plans don’t alter his own. He said if he fails to win the Democratic endorsement, he will petition his way onto the special-election ballot.

“I have the experience at the state House. I think it’s important for New Haven to have a delegation as strong as it can be,” said Holder-Winfield, who in his five years at the Capitol has championed death-penalty and school reform.

Holder-Winfield ran for mayor for a while earlier this year, then dropped out to back Harp. Before dropping out, he criticized another candidate, Justin Elicker, for running in the Democratic primary but also planning to run as a petition candidate in the general election. Holder-Winfield was asked Monday if he expects to be criticized for running as independent for state senator.

“That was different. Justin ran as both” a Democrat and an independent, Holder-Winfield noted. There won’t be a Democratic primary for the open senate seat; so voters will cast their ballots in only one election.

Hillhouse High School Principal Kermit Carolina, who ran in the Democratic mayoral primary this year, said he’s still actively weighing a bid for the Senate seat, as well.

One key endorsement remains up for grabs: Yale’s UNITE/HERE locals, which provide the most on-the-ground firepower in city elections. It’s unclear whom the local unions will unite behind, or if they’ll make an endorsement at all.

“We are pretty much still talking to folks and seeing where they” are, said Local 34 President Laurie Kennington.