Fonfara to enter race for Hartford mayor Monday. Arulampalam holds campaign kickoff on day of Q Williams’ death.

State Senator John Fonfara is expected to form a campaign committee for the Democratic nomination for mayor of Hatford on Monday. The former five-term House member began his 19th term in the Senate Wednesday. He wields significant influence as co-chairman of the legislature’s finance committee. Fonfara will likely take a leading role this spring in shaping and passing Governor Ned Lamont’s middle class tax cut.

Fonfara retains a reputation as an energetic candidate. He has remained rooted in his district, which includes much of Hartford. Decades of constituent casework provide will provide a potent list of prime voters that no other candidate can hope to match.

Arunan Arulampalam scored an own goal with his Thursday campaign kickoff. The former lobbyist surprised officeholders and others by proceeding with his event on the same day state Representative Quentin ”Q” Williams was killed in a fiery wrong way motor vehicle as he drove home from Governor Ned Lamont’s inaugural ball. Arulampalam began his campaign launch with a tribute to Williams, telling the audience he had prayed on whether to hold the event. God said yes, and Arulampalam began his quest to find the 6,000 votes he says he will need to win September’s primary.

Legislative leaders received a different answer to their anguished prayers Thursday morning. They cancelled all meetings scheduled for Thursday and Friday and closed the Legislative Office Building. Williams surpassed popularity at the Capitol. In his four years in the House the Middletown Democrat was the object of affection beyond the usual limits of bitter contemporary partisan politics.

Williams was no ordinary legislator. His success came from toil devoid of privilege. Legislators will spend this legislative session in the shadow of his death.

Published January 7, 2023.