Democrat Justin Elicker will be the next mayor of New Haven, Connecticut. Elicker won a primary challenge against three-term mayor Toni Harp – then defeated her again in the general election last night.
Elicker is a former alderman who previously ran against Harp in 2013. This time around he won, with about two-thirds of the votes. Harp ran on the Working Families ticket.
Elicker told supporters he wants to be an inclusive mayor who listens to all the city’s residents.
“New Haven is a place where everyone has the opportunity, and needs to have the opportunity, to thrive. New Haven is a place where divisive rhetoric has no tolerance. I will be mayor no matter what you look like, where you came from, how much money you have, what kind of political connections you have. I will represent you, and I pledge that here tonight.”
Elicker promoted more equal economic development between New Haven’s downtown and its neighborhoods.
The New Haven Register endorsed Elicker, after first endorsing Harp in the primary. The paper said Elicker will make sure Yale University contributes more to the city.