Arulampalam to announce bid for Hartford mayor Thursday.

Hartford Democrat Arunan Arulampalm will announce his candidacy for mayor Thursday afternoon. Arulampalam will address supporters at the Parkville Market at an hourlong event beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Arulampalam becomes the third Democrat to enter the race to succeed incumbent Democrat Luke Bronin, who is not seeking a third four-year term. Arulampalam sought the Democratic nomination for state treasurer in 2018. He won enough votes at the state party nominating convention to qualify to participate in a primary but declined to enter the next round against endorsed candidate Shawn Wooden and challenger Dita Bhargava.

Arulampalam served as a deputy commissioner of the Department of Consumer Protection in the Lamont administration until joining the Hartford Land Bank last year.

Eric Coleman, a former state senator and retired Superior Court judge, was the first Democrat to enter the contest for mayor. He was followed by Nick Lebron, a city council member. State Senator John Fonfara is considering entering the race and would bring four decades of experience and winning campaigns into the arena.

Members of the Democratic town committee will meet this summer to select an endorsed slate. A primary will likely follow in September.

Published January 3, 2023.