Community Corner

Jack Stacey Building Support for East Haven Mayor Campaign

The Democratic Town Committee-endorsed candidate has racked up what his campaign calls "key endorsements."

With the Democratic primary less than two weeks away, John "Jack" Stacey has scored what his campaign is calling "key endorsements" in the race for East Haven mayor.

Stacey, the Democratic Town Committee-endorsed candidate, will be facing off against Gary DePalma, an East Haven Town Council member and retired police sergeant who secured enough signatures to force the primary.

The winner of that primary will go up against incumbent Mayor Joseph Maturo, a Republican who once again has the backing of his party, and Oni Sioson, a petition candidate who is a registered independent. Sioson, a U.S. Navy veteran, ran an unsuccessful bid for mayor in 2011.

Stacey's endorsements came Wednesday evening during a gathering at Bistro Mediterranean.

State Rep. James Albis (D-99)

“I've known Jack a long time. I know how hard he has worked as a teacher, as a community leader, and on the Civil Service Commission. On all levels, Jack knows what East Haven needs and he is the kind of person who can mediate difficult situations. I could not be more proud to stand with him today and endorse his candidacy for mayor.”

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“Jack is an honest candidate with the kind of integrity that we need in the Mayor’s Office. His dedication to this town will only grow when he is mayor and I look forward to working in Hartford to help realize his vision for our town.”

State Rep. Roland J. Lemar (D–96) 

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“We have an opportunity to build an East Haven that our families, our children, and our neighbors can be proud of and I couldn't be prouder to support Jack who has the vision, the drive and the commitment to make East Haven great. East Haven has so much promise and we need Jack to be mayor to help guide East Haven to become that jewel of Long Island Sound that it could be.”

Additional Support for Stacey

According to a press release from the Stacey campaign, he received the endorsement of the The New Haven Building and Trades Union earlier this month.

Also, the release states, Wayne Sandford has added his support to Stacey's run. Sandford is East Haven's former Fire Chief who served under two Republican governors (Roland and Rell) as the Deputy Commissioner of Emergency Management and Homeland Security for the State of Connecticut.  

“I'm supporting Jack because as a history teacher he knows the constitution and will honor our rights ... he has firsthand experience in how difficult these times have been and will fight to keep cost down,” Sandford said. “Jack will do what is needed to prepare this town for the future. He has already begun to put together a comprehensive emergency preparedness plan to deal with extreme weather events and flooding.”

Another endorsement came from Herman Zuniga, President of the Community Immigrants of East Haven.

“I like Jack. I like what he's been doing and what he plans to do to bridge the divide in this town," Zuniga said. "Jack will be the kind of mayor that has the best interest of all residents in mind. He already is working hard as a teacher and community leader to make East Haven a better place and to teach our young people how to embrace our differences.”

According to the press release, Stacey is a high school history teacher at the High School in the Community and sits on the Civil Service Board. He is a Vietnam veteran and community leader, and has lived in East Haven since 1957. 

The Democratic Primary will take place on Sept. 10. All registered Democrats are eligible to cast ballots to determine who will face Maturo in November.


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