Patch Candidate Profile: Joseph A. Carfora For East Haven Mayor

EAST HAVEN, CT — Election Day on Nov. 4 is fast approaching, and there are a number of key races on the ballot.

Patch reached out to candidates for office to get more information on their campaigns and the issues that are facing their towns.

Candidate's Name:
Mayor Joseph A. Carfora

What office are you seeking?
Mayor

What town do you live in?
East Haven

Campaign Website

Party Affiliation:
Democrat

Occupation:
Mayor of The Town of East Haven for 6 years

Family:
Fiancee Rose, Son Joey Jr, and Daughter Kelli

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
None

Previous public office, appointive or elective:
Town Council from 2017 to 2019, Elected Mayor in 2019

Why are you seeking this office?
I’m running for this office because I love this town and the people who call it home. East Haven deserves leadership that puts results ahead of all else, someone who focuses on fixing roads, rebuilding neighborhoods, strengthening public safety, and protecting taxpayers’ dollars.
Since taking office, we’ve proven that when you manage responsibly, you can deliver real improvements. We’ve invested in our Town Green, our parks, all our playgrounds, our shoreline, and our infrastructure while keeping East Haven on solid financial ground. I’m proud that our Public Works team is out there every day improving the community, and that our police, fire, and town employees continue to make East Haven a safer, more welcoming place.
There’s still work to do. I’m seeking re-election because I want to keep building on that progress, to finish what we’ve started and ensure East Haven keeps moving forward, responsibly, together.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:
The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is the ongoing expansion of Tweed New Haven Airport and the impact it will have on our neighborhoods, public safety, and overall quality of life.

I will continue to stand firm for East Haven’s residents. I’ve been clear from day one, I support smart, sustainable growth that benefits the region, but never at the expense of our community. The current Tweed expansion raises serious concerns about traffic, flooding, safety, and fairness.

My job is to protect East Haven’s interests, to demand transparency, enforce accountability, and make sure our residents’ voices are heard. I intend to keep fighting for a balanced approach that respects the people who actually live here, not just those flying through.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
I’ve spent my time as Mayor delivering for East Haven, rebuilding infrastructure, protecting taxpayers, strengthening public safety, and managing our town with honesty and discipline. The results are visible in every neighborhood.

My opponent talks about ideas he’s never had to implement, budgets he’s never had to balance, and responsibilities he’s never had to carry. Leading a town isn’t theory; it’s daily accountability to almost 28,000 people. I’ve done the hard work, made the tough calls, and kept East Haven moving forward.
This job requires more than slogans. It requires leadership that’s proven, steady, and grounded in facts, not frustration. That’s the difference.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
Along with holding Tweed accountable, I will continue to keep our focus on quality of life and the things that make East Haven a great place to live. That means continuing our investment in roads, drainage, and public safety; upgrading our parks and athletic facilities; and expanding recreational opportunities for residents of every age.

We’ll also continue to enhance financial stability by promoting responsible development and small business growth that increases the tax base without altering our character. I’m committed to protecting our shoreline, supporting our seniors, veterans, and giving our first responders the tools they need to keep our town safe.

In short, my campaign is about protecting what we’ve built, finishing what we’ve started, and keeping East Haven affordable, safe, and strong for the next generation.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
When I took office, East Haven was facing aging infrastructure, budget stress, and low morale. We rolled up our sleeves and got to work. Since then, we’ve rebuilt and repaved miles of roads, modernized our parks and beaches, added the Teen Center, the YMCA and upgraded athletic fields, also restored the beauty and activity around our Town Green with a new gazebo.

We’ve saved millions through in-house public works projects, and secured major outside funding, including $4.8 million in state LOTCIP funds for the Messina Drive Traffic Signal & Pedestrian Walkway project, and federal ARPA allocations that helped improve facilities like the Veterans Memorial DiLungo Ice Rink and the Hagaman Library restoration.

We strengthened our police and fire departments, expanded community outreach, and built partnerships, like our recent collaboration with the Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services, ensuring help is available when residents need it most.

I’ve managed departments, people, budgets, and crises. My track record shows steady leadership, fiscal accountability, and a commitment to doing what’s right for the residents of East Haven, not what’s politically convenient.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
The best advice I ever received was this: “Never forget where you came from and always remember who you work for.”

That sentence has guided me as a person and as the Mayor. It reminds me that leadership isn’t about power or politics; it’s about service. I work for the people of East Haven, not for recognition. Every decision I make has to answer one question: Is this good for our residents?

That simple advice keeps me grounded, humble, and focused on what matters most — making life better for the people who call East Haven home.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I want voters to know that I take this job personally, because East Haven is personal to me. I grew up here, raised my family here, and I care deeply about the people and neighborhoods that make this community special. Every day, I remind myself that the choices we make at Town Hall reach far beyond policy, they touch lives, families, and futures.

I believe public service is about accountability and follow-through. My focus has always been on producing real results: rebuilding our roads and parks, upgrading our facilities, supporting seniors and families, and strengthening public safety. We’ve done this while maintaining fiscal discipline, proving that progress and responsibility can go hand in hand.

I also believe in listening to residents, business owners, and the people who work hard every day to make this town better. That’s how we’ve been able to bring new energy and investment to East Haven without losing our small-town character.

I’m proud of how far we’ve come, but I know our work isn’t finished. I’m running to continue that progress with the same honesty, steadiness, and commitment to community that guided me from the start. East Haven has momentum, and I intend to keep it moving in the right direction.