Hartford's Democrats Set the Stage for September Primary

Hartford's Democrats are gearing up for a primary fight in September. Two days after walking out of a nominating convention, Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra announced a slate of candidates for city council that he hopes will force a primary against the Democratic party's endorsed candidates.

On Monday, the Democrats endorsed six council candidates to run with Luke Bronin, their pick for mayor. Of the six, five are newcomers, and one -- rJo Winch -- served on the council before. The others are Julio Concepcion, James Sanchez, Glendowlyn Thames, John Gale, and T.J. Clarke. None currently serves on the council. 

On Wednesday, Segarra announced his slate, including councilmen Ken Kennedy and Kyle Anderson, in addition to Giselle Feliciano; former fire chief Ed Casares, Jr.; James Woulfe; and Luwannia Johnson-Martin. Segarra and his slate will need to gather enough signatures to get on the ballot and force a September primary. 

Monday's convention is where the city's Democrats picked their candidates for citywide office, including mayor and city council. As part of that process, some have suggested that Segarra's political allies deliberately endorsed inexperienced candidates for council, saving more experienced candidates -- Kennedy, Anderson -- for the mayor's challenge slate.

State Rep. Edwin Vargas supports Segarra, but he also ran against him four years ago. He had this analysis:

"Being a slate of mostly newcomers who have been untested politically may be an advantage," Vargas said. "Whether it was planned that way or not, it could certainly work to Mayor Segarra's advantage that his opponent, Luke, is stuck with a weak slate."

Steve Harris, who has for years been politically active in Hartford's North End, is on the town committee, and nominated Bronin Monday night. Bronin counted on the support of African American leaders like Harris to win the contest.

But Harris also wanted Kennedy and Anderson to be endorsed Monday night, too. Having his ideal ticket split and having strong incumbents on the challenge line makes life more difficult, Harris said.

"It could potentially... cause some possible splits in North Hartford," Harris said. "The endorsed slate -- we're just going to have to work a little harder."

But Harris also stood by that Democratic slate.

"They are newcomers. I think they are bright newcomers. I think that they're newcomers that have been groomed, and there's nothing wrong with newcomers," Harris said. "I'd just like to see a few more seasoned faces, but it is what it is right now."

Councilman Kennedy said he expected to be endorsed Monday and was surprised when he wasn't.

"It's going to be a discussion about what's best for Hartford's future and who are the best people able to do that," Kennedy said. "In the end, I think that's going to favor the mayor and our slate."