East Haven Mayor Makes Announcement On Whether He'll Run Again

EAST HAVEN, CT - Mayor Joseph Maturo said Sunday night he has not yet decided whether he'll be seeking another term this November.

Maturo already faces a challenge, if he does decide to run from within the party, as Republican Big Steve Tracey recently announced he will be running for mayor. No Democrat has announced for the race yet.

What’s unusual - or different - is that two years ago Maturo announced much earlier, in January, he would run for re-election.

Maturo released this statement Sunday:

"Last Wednesday, I received an email from our RTC Secretary asking any incumbents interested in seeking reelection to notify the Executive Board of that intention.

"I applaud the efforts and hard work of our Executive Board, which I am pleased to see is gearing up for this Fall's municipal race.

"However, I am writing to notify you that while I expect to be making a decision shortly, and while I appreciate the need for our party to have a clear direction regarding the top of our ticket, I have not yet made a decision as to whether I will seek another term.

"I have held the position of Mayor of this great community for 6,331 days out of the last 22 years.

"Our team has proven that we can be relied upon, despite the State's dismal fiscal climate and despite continued cuts to municipal funding, to keep our Town moving forward on the right track.

"Nevertheless, we face a difficult fight this November. I understand the need for me to make a swift decision regarding my political fate and I intend to make the decision imminently - for the sake of my family, for the sake of this party, and for the sake of this great community.

"However, I ask for patience in the immediate short term as I discuss this important decision with my family and others. In the end, whatever decision I come to will be guided by simple considerations of what is best for our community and who, given the current political climate, has the best chance of ensuring a victory in November. I appreciate your patience in the short term as I weigh this important decision and promise, for the sake of our party and community, that I will come to that decision as soon as possible."