East Haven Town Councilor Samantha Parlato Exploring Mayoral Bid

EAST HAVEN, CT —Thursday afternoon, Town Councilor Samantha “Sam” Parlato said that she's officially exploring a run to be East Haven's next mayor, according to a news release.

“I have spent my life in public service, and I am committed to the residents of East Haven and to putting people before politics. I am exploring a mayoral candidacy to bring responsible leadership to Town Hall that will keep our town affordable, fight for residents' quality of life, create a thriving sustainable community, improve outcomes for our children, and reinvest our resources back into the town for the benefit of future generations.”

Parlato’s exploratory campaign kicked off in earnest, with the launch of a campaign website, a kick-off video on Parlato’s official Facebook page and a "plea for friends, family, and residents for campaign donation pledges and lawn sign requests."

“If you believe in the cause my team and I are exploring, please go to my website to make a pledge to support my campaign and register for a lawn sign or to volunteer," Parlato said. "Every dollar and enthusiastic volunteer is going to make a difference."

Parlato was elected to the East Haven Board of Education in 2017, where she served as the board’s secretary, and she said, "spearheaded the process of updating the Board of Education’s 'Program and Policy documents.' She was elected to the Town Council in 2019 and was reelected in 2021 "as the sole Republican on the present legislative Town Council."

“I am proud of the perspective I can bring to Town Hall, with experience on both the Board of Education and Town Council sides of government," she is quoted as saying in a press release. "Our town, like so many, faces unique challenges as we look ahead, and I am committed to offering residents strategic and responsible leadership aimed at keeping takes low, improving our schools, and helping families and small businesses to thrive.

In her announcement, she shared that she "graduated with honors in 2018" from Gateway Community College, with an associate's degree in Early Childhood Special Education a "teacher certificate." She said she's received her “municipal officer certificate” from the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities in 2022, after completing courses in personal, community, and organizational skills.

Parlato said she's "heavily involved in a number of civic causes across town."

She is a past-chairperson and current executive board member of the East Haven Chamber of Commerce, secretary of the East Haven Fall Festival non-profit corporation, and a trustee of the non-profit arts corporation “Broadway on Main Theater Company,” which recently opened on Main Street.

She is a member of the Town’s Police Athletic League, Clean Up East Haven, and the Shoreline Trolley Museum’s “Development Committee.” She has been an active East Haven Justice of the Peace for over 20 years, "having performed hundreds of ceremonies." She has also served in various capacities in town as a Little League coach, catechist, and PTA officer.

As a "nearly lifelong resident of the town of East Haven," she and her husband Frederick, a career firefighter , have been married for almost three decades and have three children.

“I have spent the vast majority of my life working to better our community and, through my involvement in so many of the town’s amazing civic causes, I have gained invaluable insight into our community’s needs," she said. "I look forward to spending the next few months talking to residents and to discussing my plans, if elected in November, for charting an exciting, positive path forward for our community.”