Democrat Karen DuBois-Walton says shes in to win, will make New Haven mayoral run official today – New Haven Register

NEW HAVEN The race is on.

DuBois-Walton, 53, a Democrat who announced March 8 that she had formed an exploratory committee for a possible run to challenge Democratic Mayor Justin Elicker, will file papers for that run at 9 a.m. in the City / Town Clerks Office, she said.

DuBois-Waltons last day on the job at the Housing Authority was Friday.

Its exciting, DuBois-Walton said. Ive been here 14 years and have been able to bring the combination of strong leadership, big vision ... and put together what residents need to bring big change here.

I look forward to talking to the people of New Haven about what we can do for them, she said.

About what she brings to the table as a candidate for mayor, DuBois-Walton said, I think I bring strong leadership and experienced leadership that knows how to get things done.

That strong leadership in turn brings other partners to the table and other dollars to solve the problems ... I think strong leadership is key, she said. If you dont use that opportunity to provide strong leadership, we wont move forward as a community.

We need leadership thats going to set a vision and a path that people can get excited about, DuBois-Walton said.

While school administration is separated from municipal government by statute in Connecticut, the mayor is part of the school board in New Haven. I think the mayoral leadership is huge, DuBois-Walton said. I think what weve seen when we have seen big reform in our school administration is ... weve seen the mayor partnering with the superintendent and the Board of Education.

I think we need leadership, strong leadership and I think we need ... real leadership..., she said.

We look forward to making that case and talking to the people, she said.

Elicker said he looks forward to the race. Elicker announced his plans to seek a second term in January.

I welcome Dr. DuBois Walton to the race and look forward to the conversation about the direction of the city, Elicker said. We are confident that, after one of the most challenging years our community has seen, we are on the right track.

The city has responded to the pandemic with a focus on equity and science, everything from ensuring a computer device for every public school child to implementing over 45 vaccine pop ups in historically underserved communities, he said. And with the end of the pandemic on the horizon, we are about to take off, starting with a $6.3 million investment this summer in youth programs, safety and neighborhood investment.

DuBois-Walton is one of at least three people planning or considering runs for mayor in November. Democrat Mayce Torres, who has not previously held elected office or served in city government, also has filed papers to run. Democrat Elena Grewal, also a newcomer to city politics, has filed papers to form an exploratory committee.

DuBois-Walton, a native of New York who initially arrived in New Haven in 1985 as an undergraduate at Yale University, then returned in 1994 after a few years in Boston, worked in the administration of former mayor John DeStefano Jr. (as chief of staff and chief administrative officer) and as head of the Housing Authority during the administration of Toni Harp, whom she supported in the last election.

She was a member of Elickers transition team, but has said that it made sense for the leader of the largest affordable housing organization in New Haven to be part of the transition for a mayor who has made the need for affordable housing a major part of his campaign.

The Housing Authority Board of Directors last month voted to accept DuBois-Waltons request to take a leave of absence, appointing Shenae Draughn, a 13-year employee who most recently served as senior vice president of The Glendower Group, a subsidiary branch of the Housing Authority, to be interim director.

Draughn, who began her new job Saturday, will serve as interim executive director/secretary/president of the Housing Authority at least through Sept. 30.

The move to appoint Draughn to lead the authority while DuBois-Walton runs for mayor follows a previously-approved succession plan. It will allow the authority to move forward seamlessly with leadership that you also will have confidence in and provide full continuity of services, full continuity of leadership and direction, DuBois-Walton said at the time.

DuBois-Walton said when she announced her plan to form an exploratory committee that New Haven needs to invest in its neighborhoods, build infrastructure and build on its efforts to shape up the citys finances.

Federal money is likely to come in to help with COVID-related expenses and state Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney, D-New Haven, is pushing to convert the state to a three-tiered Payment in Lieu of Taxes reimbursement program and give more money to communities like New Haven that have a lot of tax-exempt properties, she said.

But unless we can focus on economic development, the city would be hard-pressed to move forward economically, DuBois-Walton said. While certain parts of New Haven are prospering at this point, the city needs an economic growth strategy that is including everyone in that prosperity.

mark.zaretsky@hearstmediact.com

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Democrat Karen DuBois-Walton says shes in to win, will make New Haven mayoral run official today - New Haven Register