After serving as Hartford's mayor for five years, Pedro Segarra has dropped his bid for re-election following his defeat last week in the Democratic primary. He's now supporting his chief opponent.
I'm officially ending my re-election bid. While this was not an easy decision to make, I'm doing it for the good of the city. (3/)
— Segarra for Mayor (@segarra2015) September 22, 2015
Segarra lost both the town committee endorsement and the Democratic primary to Luke Bronin -- a Greenwich-raised lawyer who most recently served as general counsel to Governor Dannel Malloy.
They fought in a bitter campaign that often divided the city along racial lines. But on Tuesday, the two men stood together.
"For the good of the city, and in order to bring unity to the city, I am announcing that I am ending my campaign," Segarra said. "And as a proud, lifelong -- almost lifelong -- resident of the city, I ask that we all, as Democrats, come together, and that we support my colleague Luke Bronin for mayor."
Segarra lost the primary last week to Bronin -- the incumbent mayor got just about 45 percent of the vote. Segarra had previously criticized Bronin for being a wealthy outsider who tried to buy the city's top office. And, throughout, Bronin criticized Segarra as a weak mayor and he blamed him for the city's recent rash of homicides.
Appearing together, the two seem to have made amends.
Bronin thanks Segarra for his service. pic.twitter.com/EXwTKBj6mO
— Hartford Cityline (@HtfdCityline) September 22, 2015
"I am deeply appreciative of his support today and the spirit of unity," Bronin said. "I believe this is a great city and, if we all come together, there is nothing we cannot achieve. And I look forward over the coming months to working closely with Mayor Segarra."
Segarra led the City Council before becoming mayor in 2010 upon the resignation of Mayor Eddie Perez, who was charged in a corruption case.