Luke Bronin, a mainly unknown political quantity several months ago, has picked up a major endorsement in the race for Hartford mayor.
It came from one of his former challengers for the Democratic nomination in the race.
"As of today, I am no longer a candidate for mayor," said John Gale, a Hartford attorney and active member of the city's Democratic Town Committee.
Gale will set his sights on a run for the Hartford City Council instead and provide a boost to the Bronin campaign, which has gained momentum in recent weeks in its effort to unseat incumbent Mayor Pedro Segarra.
“We don’t just need a new mayor, but we need a new culture in city government that puts service to the community above all else," Gale said.
Bronin hugged Gale when he announced his support.
“I could not be more proud than to stand with you today," Bronin said Thursday in front of about 25 supporters on Farmington Avenue in Hartford. “We know Hartford needs a change and we know that if we bring that change and a change in leadership and create a city hall – where you call city hall [and] someone actually picks up the phone – then we will be a city with great days still ahead."
Local
Segarra's campaign manager, Michael Bland, brushed off Gale's endorsement of Bronin.
"He’s entitled to his opinion and he could do what he wants to do," Bland said.
Judge Robert Killian, the third Democrat in the race for the nomination, said Gale and Bronin have been supporting his platforms since the day he entered the race.
"I was the one who opposed the stadium and then they followed," said Killian. "The same thing with taxes."
Killian said he wasn't surprised by the Gale's decision, considering his place in the race.
"I think a wise politician assesses the situation and makes a judgment as to when its time to hold them and when its time to fold them," Killian said.
He pledged to stay in the race.
Bronin, a Rhodes Scholar and a graduate of Yale Law School, served as top legal adviser to Gov. Dannel Malloy until December 2014.
He helped craft the recently passed "Second Chance Society" criminal justice reforms that reduce mandatory penalties for nonviolent offenders.
Bronin also received the backing of Democratic Rep. Angel Arce, of Hartford, two weeks ago.
