Erin Stewart Enters Democratic Primary.

New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart, who was elected to office as a Republican, has taken an unusually keen interest in two local Democratic primaries. The potty-mouthed two termer used one of her Facebook accounts to launch an attack on incumbent state Senator Terry Gerratana in the August 9th Democratic primary. Gerratana, who has long been entrenched in New Britain politics, faces Sharon Beloin-Saavedra in the 6th Senate district party tussle.

Stewart’s enthusiasm for challenger Beloin-Saavdra may stem from her fear that the popular New Britain Democrat would make a formidable challenger in next year’s mayoral contest. It may also explain why Stewart, who says she is a Republican, has discouraged any locals interested in running for the senate seat that includes New Britain and parts of Farmington and Berlin.

Gerratana defeated Tim Stewart in a 2011 special election for the seat. Stewart was serving his final term as mayor of New Britain when he fell short of nabbing the seat he was expected to win.

Erin Stewart, perhaps reflecting her expanding ambitions, substituted her ErinStewartNB with ErinStewartCT. This may add to tensions among local chief elected officials who have their eye on 2018.