Connecticut Working Families Party Endorses Speer for Mayor

Editor’s Note: The following is a press release submitted by the Connecticut Working Families Party

Michael Speer, Democratic candidate for Mayor of East Haven has earned the endorsement of the Working Families Party, a grassroots independent political party dedicated to helping hard-working families across the state, according to the release.

Speer is a life-long resident of East Haven. He earned the party’s support because of his dedication to building a fairer economy for all of us, the release states.

Speer is running against current Mayor Republican Joseph Maturo. Maturo is infamous, the release states, for 2012 remarks about having tacos for dinner after East Haven police officers were then charged with discriminating against local Latino residents.

Maturo has also been accused in a lawsuit of sexually harassing a female employee in his office. (Editor’s note, no criminal charges were filed against Maturo)

“Joseph Maturo has harassed women in his office.,” said Lindsay Farrell, Executive Director of the Working Families Party in a prepared statement. “That is no way to run a City. When women feel harassed at work, they can’t support their families and our economy suffers. That’s why we need new leadership in East Haven.”

Speer commented in a statement released by the Connecticut Working Families Party, “I’m proud to have earned the Working Families Party Endorsement, they represent the values of East Haven residents. As mayor I will stand up for our hard working families who have been shut out of local government. I will work to bring more opportunities for our residents so they can continue to live in our town.”

Every year the Working Families Party takes a close look at every candidate, Democratic, Republican, and independent, and endorses the one who will most effectively build political power for working and middle-class families and the unemployed.

Candidates endorsed by the Working Families Party are champions on issues like creating jobs with livable wages, ensuring a fair and open government, and access to a high-quality education for every child.

While the endorsements does come with the grassroots support of Working Families Party backers in East Haven, it does not give Michael Speer access to the Working Families Party’s line on the ballot in November.