“Passionate.” ​“Personable.” Bond Launches Exploratory Run For State Job

The city’s health director officially kicked off her exploratory campaign for secretary of the state with the support of family, friends, and Fair Haven neighbors — as well as the backing of former Mayor Toni Harp, but not the endorsement of current Mayor Justin Elicker.

City Health Director Maritza Bond held that exploratory campaign launch party Wednesday afternoon at Criscuolo Park at the corner of Chapel Street and James Street in Fair Haven.

A Fair Haven native who has led the city’s Health Department throughout the ongoing pandemic, Bond announced that she has filed an ​“exploratory” committee for secretary of the state. That means she can start raising money, talking to voters, and gauging statewide interest in her potential candidacy before actually committing to an official campaign for the state’s top elections and business-records oversight position.

Bond said starting off with an ​“exploratory” committee gives her ​“the opportunity to at least gain relationships” across the state as she builds her campaign and talks with prospective voters about her long career in public service and her commitment to ​“access to voting that is transparent and has integrity.”

“As I make this announcement to explore statewide office, I am reminded of the long path it took me to get where I am at,” Bond is quoted as saying in an email press release sent out Wednesday morning. ​“It all began for me here, right in Fair Haven. I want this exploratory committee to be an inspiration for all young girls, all Latinos and Latinas, and all young people across the state to never hold back from your dreams and aspirations.”

Click here to read more about Bond’s run for office. Fellow New Haveners Jacqueline James and Westville Alder Darryl Brackeen, Jr. have also formed exploratory committees for the statewide office soon to be vacated by three-term incumbent Denise Merrill, as have Hamden State Rep. Joshua Elliott, State Sen. Matt Lesser of Middletown, and Meriden State Rep. Hilda Santiago.

Many of those who showed up to Criscuolo Park to support Bond on Wednesday cited her passion, energy, New Haven roots, and commitment to public service.

“I see her as nothing else but a leader,” said Justice Willoughby, a close family friend of Bond’s children. ​“She’s always had a level head. She’s always been a catalyst” for social good.

“I believe in her,” said Bond’s son Mehkai. He said he’s proud of his mom for ​“having a dream, a goal,” and going for it.

“She’s so personable,” said another family friend, Alexandrea Reaves. When you grow up and live in a place like New Haven as Bond has and does, Reaves said, you’re best positioned to advocate at the state level for what will make New Haven a better place to live in.

“I’ve watched my mom start very small, and I’ve seen her grow into this very large leadership role,” said Bond’s younger son, Markel. ​“She’s always been a leader. She’s passionate.”

Jalah Woods, 19, said she’s confident that Bond will push to make it easier to vote in Connecticut if she’s elected as secretary of the state.

“You have to fight to the top” when you’re a woman of color vying for positions of responsibility, said fellow Fair Havener and cleaning business owner Sadie Marshall. She said she identifies with Bond. ​“We’re both here to clean up the city.”

Michael Licamele of Easton and John Brannelly of Fairfield, who both worked with Bond when she was Bridgeport’s health director, said they’re supporting her exploratory campaign because ​“she has the energy needed for this job,” said Licamele.

They said they’d like to see her defend voting in Connecticut from the types of politicized attacks that have taken place around the country, particularly in the runup to and wake of the 2020 presidential election.

According to Bond’s Wednesday morning email press release, she’s also won the support of Fair Haven Community Management Team Co-Chair Lee Cruz.

“Maritza’s tested administrative skills are key to New Haven’s success during the pandemic, and her role here is just the most recent instance of her leadership in regions across the state,” he’s quoted as saying in that press release. ​“Her policies not only saved lives from COVID-19, but also took on the significant threat posed by lead paint. Maritza comes from Fair Haven, from the New Haven Public Schools, and is an inspiration to women and to our diverse Latinx community. I fully support Maritza Bond to lead Connecticut into a better future for us all.”

Harp Supports Bond; Elicker Stays With Brackeen

According to that same Wednesday morning press release, Bond has also won the support of the city’s former top elected official: Toni Harp.

Harp did not attend Bond’s event in person. She is quoted in that Wednesday morning email press release as throwing her support behind the city’s health director.

“Due to her history of outstanding public service, I have every confidence that Maritza Bond will be a State leader who will make sure that Connecticut is known for its access to the basic right of freedom in the Democratic Republic: the vote,” Harp is quoted as saying in that press release.

Elicker, meanwhile, is not supporting Bond’s run for office. Because he’s already cast his political support for another local candidate, Darryl Brackeen.

Asked earlier on Wednesday, Elicker said that he’s still backing Brackeen’s run for secretary of the state, even though one of his most trusted City Hall department heads is now in the race.

“I have nothing but positive things to say about Director Bond,” Elicker said.

As for drawing a line between work responsibilities and her budding campaign, he added, ​“She and I have had a conversation that she understands that the campaign should in no way impact her capacity as director of the health department. And that any activity that is associated with the campaign happen outside work hours or that she takes leave for any time that she might be doing that in her personal capacity.”

Bond confirmed as much during Wednesday’s event at Criscuolo Park. She said she has drawn ​“very clear boundaries” between her professional responsibilities as the city’s health director, and her political ambitions as she vies for secretary of the state.