Ruocco to Step Aside as Head of East Haven Democratic Party

Only hours after the polls closed and results were reported in this year's municipal election, the longtime head of East Haven's Democratic Party has announced he's stepping down from his post.

In an email sent out shortly after 10 a.m. this morning, Democratic Town Committee Chairman Gene Ruocco told members he does not plan to seek the post once again this February.

It is a move, he says, that will help allow the local party to move forward with new leadership.

"The town committee needs a transfusion of new people with the desire to work towards a common good," Ruocco wrote.

His email to DTC members is in full below:

Hello All,

As Chairmen of the EHDTC I would like to thank all those that came out over the last few months to help get our Mayor candidate Jack Stacey elected. You all worked so hard and both Jack and I appreciate your dedication to the Democratic principles. If ever a town needed a change in leadership it was East Haven.

My thoughts as to why this did not happen are very obvious; the whole Democratic DTC was not pulling in the same direction. The primary divided our Committee beyond my ability as town Chairmen to keep us together. There fore I will not be seeking the position of Chairman in February. It is time for a new person, man or woman to step up and bring this party together, for the sake of our town, for we all know things are not what they should be in East Haven.

I ask you all to get over your differences and come together as a town committee where people volunteer during elections to work as a team, for if that one goal cannot be achieved then the Republicans will continue to keep this town with its status quo and we will not be any better than we are right now. The town committee needs a transfusion of new people with the desire to work towards a common good.

Thank you for your past support,

Gene Ruocco