GOP Has 1st Contender To Replace Albis; Dems Promise Answer Soon

EAST HAVEN, CT - The first contender has surfaced as a possible replacement for Democrat James Albis as East Haven’s state representative. It is Town Attorney Joe Zullo.

Asked by Patch whether he would run for the seat that Albis vacated this week to take a job in Gov. Ned Lamont’s administration, Zullo, a Republican, sounded very much like a candidate.

“I am very seriously considering a run,” Zullo said.

“I’ve already spoken to a number of members of our Town Committee, including our Town Chairman and the support has been both overwhelming and humbling. A number of people from both sides of the aisle have also reached out to me to encourage me to make a run at it. I have a few more people I need to talk to, including my fiancée and my partner (father). But I intend to make and announce a decision imminently.

“As I told a town committee member today, East Haven needs a passionate and experienced leader in Hartford and I know that my experience fighting for the people of East Haven as Town Attorney will serve me well if I run and have the privilege of being elected,” Zullo said.

On the Democratic side, Party Chair Marc Conte, Sr. had this to say:

“Joe Zullo, Joe Maturo and the Republican Party together destroyed the reputation of our great town. The last thing we need is Zullo in Hartford hurting us there. He is a partisan politician providing cover for Maturo as the town attorney and he’ll be the same as a state representative.

“The Democratic Party will put forward a candidate that will continue to do the work for all the residents of our great town. We will be united and lead with transparency. Always having the best interest of our seniors, children and hardworking men and women of our town,” Conte added.

A special election will have to be held in East Haven. Under state law, the governor has 10 days to issue a writ of election to choose a successor in the 99th State House district. That special election must be held on the 46th day after the issuance of the writ of election. Major party conventions must take place by 36 days before the special election.

Albis is leaving his state representative post to work in a senior position in the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.