Hartford Mayor: Two Terms Is Enough

HARTFORD, CT — Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin announced Tuesday morning he will not seek a third term leading Connecticut's capital city.

In an announcement posted on Bronin's Facebook page, the incumbent Democrat made the announcement via a social media post and a two-minute-29-second video.

"This has not been an easy decision, but its the right one," Bronin, 43, said in the video. "I've given everything I had to this job and I loved it.

"I love this city. I believe in this city. I'm so thankful to have had the chance to do this work with you and for you."

He was first elected in 2015, being sworn into office Jan. 1, 2016.

In November 2019, he was re-elected to a second term, with his current term expiring in 2023.

Bronin said via social media that, during his time in office, "our team has helped to take Hartford from near bankruptcy to stability and growth."

He spoke about the city's response to the Covid pandemic and recovering from it.

"I’m really proud of that work, and I'm thankful for the chance to do it. But today, as I approach my eighth year as mayor, I am announcing that I will not be seeking a third term," Bronin wrote.

Bronin fought his way to Hartford's top post the hard way, defeating an incumbent Democratic Mayor, Pedro Segarra, in 2015 to secure the party's nomination.

Then in the mayoral election that year, Bronin won in a landslide victory against four other hopefuls, garnering more than 75 percent of the vote.

In 2019, Bronin was re-elected with more than 76 percent of the vote against six other mayoral candidates in the heavily Democratic city.

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, a Democrat, weighed in on Bronin's announcement, which comes shortly after Lamont, himself, won a second term in office.

“Luke Bronin has been one of Hartford’s most vocal advocates and a dedicated supporter of the revitalization of the city and its growth. He has been an important collaborator with our administration, including on issues concerning housing, public health, increased access to quality education, and public safety," Lamont said in a statement.

"Hartford has benefitted from his public service as mayor and I wish him and his family the best in their next endeavors.”

For Bronin's biography, visit the mayor's page on the City of Hartford website at this link.

For Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin's Facebook page, click on this link.