Just when you thought the campaign season had ended, jockeying has begun for an expected upcoming special election — for state Senate.
To be specific, the special-election campaign for the soon-to-open 10th State Senate District has begun. Not officially. But unofficially.
Toni Harp said in an interview Wednesday that she plans to resign from Senate seat as of Jan. 2 as she begins her official duties as New Haven’s 50th mayor. She won the mayor’s job Tuesday in an election that capped nearly a year of spirited campaigning.
Harp has held the 10th Senate District seat — which represents half of New Haven and a sliver of West Haven — since 1993. As co-chair of the legislature’s powerful Appropriations Committee, she has been responsible for sending millions of dollars to the city and defending numerous social programs against budget cuts. Her departure appears likely diminish the city’s clout in Hartford (although her election as mayor arguably increases City Hall’s influence there).
At least one prominent Democrat, state Rep. Gary Holder-Winfield, has already decided to run to replace her in the Senate, assuming the resignation takes place as planned and the seat opens up.
Other Democrats known to be considering runs are Democratic Town Chairwoman Jackie James and former Edgewood Alderman Marcus Paca. Two state representatives, Toni Walker and Juan Candelaria, have also been mentioned as possible candidates, though they have not at this point encouraged the speculation or made moves to run.
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 10th District Democratic committee that nominated Harp for her seat in the most recent election — whose makeup is similar to that of the Democratic Town Committee — then meets to nominate a new party candidate for the special election.
“My intention is, upon the seat becoming available, I will be running for it,” Holder-Winfield told the Independent Wednesday. As a state representative, Holder-WInfield has taken a leading role in legislation to abolish the death penalty, promote school reform, and limit racial profiling. He ran for mayor earlier this year, then dropped out and endorsed Harp’s candidacy before the Democratic primary.
He said he would seek the Democratic committee’s endorsement, then collect signatures to run as a petitioning candidate if he fails to receive it.
“I have a lot of experience over the five years that I’ve been [in the state House] that I think will be good, particularly losing a senator with the experience that Toni has,” he said.
The state Senate has 36 members, the House, 151. Holder-Winfield said that as a member of a smaller body than the state House, a senator has a greater “ability to make things happen.”
That might not be as true for state Rep. Walker if she were to decide to run. That’s because Walker has risen to one of the state House’s top positions: co-chair, along with Toni Harp, of the powerful Appropriations Committee. So she’s not leaping into the upcoming race for Harp’s seat.
“I’m very concerned I’d be giving up a very powerful position. Whoever takes [Harp’s] place would not start at the top, either. That would weaken New Haven,” Walker said.
That said, she left her options open: “I need to talk to my colleagues. We’re a team.”
State Rep. Juan Candelaria and Town Chair James sounded similar notes of hesitation without ruling out runs.
“I feel comfortable in the House right now. I’ve been here for 11 years now. I’m part of leadership,” said Candelaria, who serves as deputy majority leader. “Moving over [to the Senate] would be like starting over.”
“I haven’t made a decision. There are other folks I have to talk to who may be interested,” James (pictured with Harp mayoral campaign manager Jason Bartlett at an Anchor Restaurant fundraiser) said Wednesday. “It’s about building a team. I don’t think it’s a decision I should make on my own. The most responsible thing is to leave the door open to who we as a city can support. It’s important to get someone in there who can do consensus-building and do great legislation.”
Asked about his plans for a potential candidacy, Paca (pictured at Harp headquarters Wednesday) said he hasn’t made a decision yet: “I’m thinking about it.” Paca served on the Board of Aldermen in Edgewood’s Ward 24 for one term, before being ousted by challenger Evette Hamilton in 2011. After his defeat, he has remained active in the neighborhood: Through the Greater Dwight Development Corporation, Paca has worked on bringing a new gas station to Stop & Shop Plaza.
Mayor-Elect Harp said Wednesday she is not at this point endorsing anyone. She said she wants to see how the field develops.
She did offer encouraging words for Holder-Winfield.
“Certainly Gary has the experience to take over where I left off,” she said.