Bevilacqua wades into New Haven's first competitive race since everyone moved to East Haven

16 August 2013

Trumbull, Conn- 

Today, Louis A Bevilacqua, citizen activist and political consultant endorsed Henry Fernandez, former Economic Development director to the City of New Haven as well as a front-runner in the Democratic Primary for Mayor.   Mr. Fernandez has received a long list of endorsements including most recently the Electrical workers union as well as actor of stage and screen Danny Glover.  Former chaplain of Yale College, the Reverend Doctor Frederick Streets was also an early backer of the man credited with revitalizing the festival of Arts and Ideas.

Mr. Bevilacqua explained his reasoning for the choice of New Haven’s first Latino mayor:

“New Haven needs a leader who is representative of its diversity, someone who will listen to the various communities, even if that means removing traffic cameras, a technology which might work in Waterbury, but not a great Ivy League college town.   Fernandez is a latino, a father and a leader.  In a city, which prides itself on family, he will be a political innovator in our tolerant community.  He comes from a family which places civil rights above self interest.”

Regarding the candidacy of Kermit Carolina, the principal of Hillhouse High School:

“Kermit is a talented and bright up and coming political notable.  When you go for the brass ring on the first shot and are unsuccessful, the measure of character is how one handles defeat.  He will do well in some other elected office, State Senator or Representative.  When he holds office, then he can truly advance an independent style of politics.”

Mr. Bevilacqua added:

“The old democratic coalition has withered under the strain of local politics.  Cities like New Haven will never have strong Republican candidates’ as contemporary political strategists have abandoned urban-based politics.   Old ties of common cause have fragmented as a result leaving a kind of vacuum, change and courage is necessary in 2013.”

Mr. Bevilacqua, a proponent of good government, and a moderate who helped to re-charter the Connecticut Young Democrats, served on the YDA national board level and as State National Committeeman was a vocal advocate for Ethics reform and empowering both Constitutional Liberties and human dignity.  He stressed the importance of making an informed decision in this race:

“Local committees go with the candidate who inspires success.”  “I have not agreed with everything during Fernandez’s tenure at City Hall.  For one, I was opposed to Gateway’s move, in my view a completely un-necessary, vanity project.  It radically altered both neighborhoods involved.  But this was the result of poor executive management, and we cannot always have 20-20 insight, blame falls on DeStefano and not Fernandez.  We look for the overall better man not the perfect one.”  

Mr. Bevilacqua’s response to the endorsement recently from Governor Malloy of Mr. Fernandez’s main opponent:

“The Governor made a gutsy move, clearly this act of desperation signals his campaign is in trouble.”

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