An association of African-American ministers — traditionally considered crucial conduits to the black vote in New Haven — have announced their support for Mayor John DeStefano’s bid for a 10th two-year term.
DeStefano faces independent Jeffrey Kerekes in the Nov. 8 general election.
He won the latest backing, from the Greater New Haven Clergy Association, after meeting with 40 ministers from the group.
A release issued by the group cited DeStefano’s “national standing as a leader in education reform, his commitment to improving released prisoner re-entry programs, and his continuing efforts to reduce crime.”
“We are in very rough economic waters, and we certainly don’t need to switch horses in midstream,” the group’s new president, the Rev. James W.Newman, is quoted as saying.
Click here for a story about DeStefano’s visits to black churches this campaign season; click on the play arrow for a video sample.
Here is the list of clergy people listed in the release as taking part in the decision to support the mayor:
David Council, Rev. Donald Morris, Bishop Dozier Shield, Rev. Willie Mae Clayton, Bishop David R. Burgess Sr., Rev. Eldren Morrison, Bishop Hester Bordaeux, Bishop Nathanial McClam, Bishop John Wright, Bishop Robert Stalling, Rev. Roger Wilkinson, Rev. Roberta Knox, Bishop Collin Haywood, Pastor Eunice Tucker, Rev. D. Hati Burgess, Dr. Mary Walton, Dr. Elise Cofield, Rev. Ron Smith, Rev. Oscar Clark, Rev. Jackie Williams, Rev. James Newman, Bishop C. H. Brewer Jr., Elder C. H. Brewer III, Dr. Boise Kimber, Bishop Lionel Lawson, Bishop Theodore Brooks, Dr. Joseph Hopper, Pastor Willa Moody, Dr. Willis Miller, Bishop Vincent Smith, Rev. John Cotton, Pastor Maria Gore, Bishop Elijah Davis, Dr. Calvin Robinson, Rev. Ron Hurt, Elder Otis Campbell, Apostle Eugene Brunson, Rev. Clarence Roberts, Elder Larry P. Zachary.