Waterbury mayoral candidate Jose Morales may not have the widest name-recognition, but city Republicans say once Brass City residents get to know him, they will love what he has to say.
"We have so many businesses that are closing," Morales said of the economy in Waterbury. "We have to go back to promote the city."
Morales is a judicial marshal in Hartford but was born and raised near downtown Waterbury. That appeal is what Jason Van Stone, the chairman of the Waterbury Republican Town Committee, believes will resonate with voters.
"He lives all of these problems everyday. He could speak to the people about what he sees his friends and family going through and I think he’s the person who could deliver that message for the Republican Party the best at this time," Van Stone said.
Van Stone and Morales practically brush off the fact that Morales is the first Hispanic candidate for mayor of one Connecticut's biggest cities.
"This isn't about that," Morales said.
Morales said he wants to cut taxes and provide incentives for more stores and businesses to locate to Waterbury as a way to boost job growth and tax receipts.
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"The city has to be promoted in a way that people can come into the city and spend money, but right now, the things that are going are not good for the city," Morales said.
Morales is up against Mayor Neil O'Leary, who is running for his second term. He's been mayor since December 2011 and previously served as Waterbury's police chief.
O'Leary received the unanimous endorsement of the Waterbury Democratic Town Committee and said his record will stand on its own.
"I think our fiscal conservative polices have gone a long way to move the city forward, but also in the fact that Waterbury now is very very diversified and I think the political process is important for the city to move forward," he said.
O'Leary said he got to know Morales when the two sat on the Waterbury school board several years ago. He said it's a good thing to have the first Hispanic run for the city's top job.
"I think it's great for the city," O'Leary said. "That should improve involvement in city politics for many residents."
