Rep. Bobby Sanchez Announces Mayoral Candidacy

Press release from Rep. Sanchez’s Campaign:

April 8, 2021

New Britain State Representative Bobby Sanchez was joined by State Senator Rick Lopes, State Representatives Peter Tercyak, Hilda Santiago, Geraldo Reyes, and Emmanuel Sanchez, local elected officials including Alderpersons Cisco Santiago, Chris Anderson, Iris Sanchez, Aram Ayalon, and Rich Reyes, City Treasurer Ron Jacobowski, and community members at the Borinqueneers Monument where he formally announced his candidacy for Mayor of New Britain.

The group gathered in front of the Borinqueneers Monument, a historical symbol of the valiant efforts and sacrifices of the 65th Infantry Regiment which was formed in 1920 and served in a number of wartime efforts including World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. Rep. Sanchez helped secure funding from the State to ensure that New Britain can share the story of the Borinqueneers by erecting this monument.

Representative Geraldo Reyes of Waterbury, and the Chair of the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus in Hartford, said, “I’ve had the privilege of serving in the People’s House with Rep. Sanchez for the past six years. Bobby is a tremendous public servant, New Brattain is in a unique position to open the process up and have an educational champion running for Mayor.”

“After eight years of our current mayor, New Britain has gone from an underperforming educational district to dead last in the State. In addition, during this horrible pandemic year, this city was faced with mediocre leadership that left us among the highest in infections and dead last in vaccinations. We need a new mayor that will lead this city with a commitment to change the status quo,” said State Senator Rick Lopes, who represents New Britain.

“Rep. Bobby Sanchez is a person of great integrity who really looks out for the interests of those most vulnerable in our communities,” added State Representative Hilda Santiago of Meriden. “Folks want a seat at the table, then they want someone like Bobby Sanchez that will listen to them, and bring forth their values and aspirations. He will ensure that New Britain is a better place to live with common sense decisions along with your input. He understands relationships and what it takes to run a City Government with the Common Council he will make a New Britain that is equitable for generations to come.”

New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart has flat-funded education for the past five years. In her State of the City Address for 2021, she already indicated her plans to continue to not invest in local education. State Representative Sanchez, has been very vocal on this issue especially as Chair of the Education Committee in the Connecticut General Assembly.

Now a Mayoral candidate, he released the following statement:

Our City needs an executive branch that believes in our teachers, a leader who believes in funding public education, and a leader who believes in the resiliency of New Britain residents and bringing equity to our neighborhoods that have been underserved for decades. I have done everything I can as the Chair of the Education Committee in Hartford, but it is still not enough for New Britain.

We need a tested leader in our executive office that shares these values and isn’t afraid to make tough decisions. I am standing here today because many of our neighborhoods have been ignored. And I am here to bring equity back to New Britain. If you believe in what I believe in and share these values—New Britain residents join this campaign to elect the first Hispanic Mayor of New Britain. Let’s make history.

Rep. Sanchez’s mayoral campaign will meet for a kickoff at 19 Bassett Street this Saturday at noon in New Britain, joined by supporters, volunteers, and community members.

This press release was produced by Rep. Sanchez’s Campaign. The views expressed here are the author's own.