He’s In: Erick Russell to Join Dash for Treasurer’s Nomination.

New Haven Democrat Erick Russell is calling supporters and others today to tell them he’s running for the Democratic nomination for treasurer. Russell has just over three weeks to organize a campaign that wins the support of at least 15% of the delegates, allowing the state party vice chair to claim a spot on the August primary ballot.

Russell, a bond lawyer at Pullman & Comley, will join announced candidate Dita Bhargava in the race. Bhargava was defeated in the 2018 primary by outgoing State Treasurer Shawn Wooden. His sudden announcement last week that he would not seek a second term unleashed the frenetic competition for the job.

Russell’s fellow New Haven Democrat Karen DuBois-Walton is also expected to enter the race. She made an unsuccessful bid for mayor of New Haven in 2021, ending her candidacy as the nominating convention began. Governor Ned Lamont appointed DuBois-Walton to chair the State Board of Education in February.

The truncated convention campaign will be a test of each candidate’s reach and organizing skill.

Republicans last elected a state treasurer in 1994.

Published on April 13, 2022.