Allan Appel Photo
Marty Looney played coy Tuesday morning after casting the 175th vote at Nathan Hale School, the polling place for the 18th Ward, at 10:20 a.m.
“I’m wearing my Democratic tie. That applies to both candidates,” said Looney, the leader of the State Senate, who in 2013 did endorse Toni Harp in a Democratic mayoral primary. Like most state legislators from New Haven, he remained publicly neutral in Tuesday’s Democratic mayoral primary rematch between incumbent Mayor Harp and challenger Justin Elicker.
“It’s important [that we not take sides] for the post-primary future of the party. We need to have no permanent differences as we look ahead to the next year, when we need a strong, party united for the presidential election,” Looney said.
By appearances, by past voting patterns, and based on interviews with voters, the polling station appeared to be a stronghold Tuesday for Justin Elicker, who is challenging three-term incumbent Toni Harp in a Democratic mayoral primary. No Harp volunteers were visible outside the polls. Turnout, while slow, was at the higher end for New Haven wards by that time in the morning; the turnout number hit 299 by noon.
Looney was standing (in photo) with Ward 18 Democratic Co-Chair Nick Colavolpa, who has lived in Morris Cove for 40 years. He said he followed the wishes of his Democratic ward committee: “We went by the ward recommendation, which was 12 – 1 for Elicker.”
Howard Blau is a self-described “recovering lawyer” who moved to Morris Cove with his wife Renate, who is a Cover for 20 years. They both have been involved as volunteers in various city programs and both cast their vote for Elicker.
“Justin is just so well suited to be mayor,” said Renate Blau. Both she and her husband said that from their perspective city programs are not being managed well. Howard Blau said he was a volunteer in the LEAD program, a $300,000 federally funded arrest diversion effort and, with disappointment, he described the results as “nothing accomplished.”
“LEAD is not the exception,” Renate Blau added. In that and other programs, Renate Blau said by the time the community is brought in to be a voice in shaping programs, “they are all set the way they want.” She said the models for LEAD and other programs suggest the community should be brought in first, not last, but the administration doesn’t stick to the model, she said, to the detriment of the program.
Lifelong Morris Cover Freddy Gagliardi’s views were more personal.
“She’s no good. I voted for Elicker. She’s a racist rat,” said Gagliardi, a retired state maintenance worker. “She wants to bring black teachers in because they can teach black kids better. She thinks that. That’s racist. White woman or a black woman, who’s ever a good teacher can do the job.”
Gagliardi said he was also motivated by New Haven’s sanctuary city policies protecting undocumented immigrants, a stand both Harp and Elicker support. “You want us to be like California?” Gagliardi asked rhetorically. “You want me to pay for every animal who comes here?”
Gagliardi also said he is happy President Trump is undoing the work of former President Obama. “Trump is saving the United States,” he said.
For James Hart, who also supported Elicker, courtesy and transparency of style were key factors in his decision. “I’ve never worked on a local campaign where the candidate calls me and thanks me. He’s also talking about opening up the finances for public review,” said Hart, who teaches political science at the University of New Haven.
Two other teachers, Peter Solomon, who teaches environmental science at the Sound School, and Jaimee Mendillo, who has taught at East Rock and at Beecher, also cited Elicker’s take on education, or rather Mayor Harp’s perceived failures in that realm, as reasons for their votes.
“Mayor Harp has had her shot,” said Solomon, who also worked with Elicker on New Haven Land Trust projects when Elicker helmed that organization. “And we need a new direction.
“And I also feel betrayed — especially by the schools superintendent. We’re feeling the effects of that now.” Harp supported the hiring of Carol Birks as schools superintendent; Birks’ tenure so far has provoked controversy.
Mendillo said that as a result of Mayor Harp’s education policies, “I’m watching friends lose posts to to the politics on the Board of Education.”
She cited general management concerns as well. “I’m just not happy with the management of the city. I’m a former teacher, a homeowner. I don’t feel policies in place are benefiting me,” she said.