Democrats Nominate Candidate For Milford Mayor

MILFORD, CT — Former Mayor Rich Smith accepted the Democratic party's unanimous nomination for mayor at City Hall last week, according to a statement.

“I am humbled by your support,” Smith told the assembled delegates. “I accept your nomination because Milford deserves a Mayor who knows how to lead. And with your help - and the help of the outstanding team you have nominated here tonight - I know we can accomplish great things for the people of Milford.

Subscribe

“My congratulations to Pete Smith on his nomination and a successful term as City Clerk. I look forward to working alongside him and this excellent underticket to right the financial wrongs of the past two years and steer the city back on course.”

Smith previously served as Milford’s 11th mayor, succeeding Mayor Benjamin Blake. He has held executive positions at organizations including Dun & Bradstreet, The Hartford, MassMutual, Connecticut Mutual, PepsiCo, and AT&T, where he "learned how to implement process improvements, apply technology, and introduce efficiencies to drive down operating costs," according to the statement.

He is currently chairman of the Milford Police Commission.

Smith said incumbent Republican Mayor Tony Giannattasio has failed to control rising costs for Milford residents:

“For more than a decade, Democrats kept local taxes flat - or even lowered taxes. But in just his first term, Mayor Giannattasio has raised taxes on every resident and business in this City by 9 percent - more than twice the rate of inflation. He raised fees from the Recreation Department to the Transfer Station to the Senior Center. We’re in a cost-of-living crisis in this country. For our mayor to add to that burden is unconscionable. And I know it’s possible to do better because - with Democrats on the Boards and in City Hall - we’ve done it.”

Milford Democrats also nominated incumbent City Clerk Pete Smith to run for that office as well as a full slate of candidates for the Board of Aldermen, Board of Education, Planning & Zoning Board, and Constable.