Former Mayor Ed O’Brien Ends Bid For Another Run As West Haven Mayor

WEST HAVEN, CT — Former West Haven Mayor Ed O’Brien announced Sunday that he has ended his exploratory campaign and won’t seek the Democratic nomination for mayor.

Instead, O’Brien said he is supporting State Rep. Dorinda Borer in her bid to become West Haven’s next mayor in this November’s election. Borer announced her candidacy last week.

O'Brien, who served two terms as mayor as a Democrat, announced in February that he formed an exploratory committee for another run at the city’s top spot.

“When I filed paperwork to explore a run for West Haven Mayor, I said ‘As I look at the field of potential candidates for Mayor, I do not see a candidate that has the necessary traits that are needed to lead our city forward in these incredibly challenging times,’” O’Brien said in a statement released Sunday. “Once Dorinda Borer officially entered the race, that all changed. Dorinda certainly is a competent and gifted leader and one who shares my vision for the future of West Haven. I know Dorinda to be a team player and with her at the helm, I am sure there will be other opportunities for me to shape West Haven’s future.

“Furthermore, I believe that ending my campaign puts us one step closer to not having a Primary in September and provides the best chance of uniting our party for the first time in more than 25 years.”

O’Brien said he is looking forward to doing everything he can to “ensure that Dorinda becomes the next Mayor of our great city and urge all citizens of West Haven to join me in that support.”

Democratic Councilman Victor Borras is also seeking the Democratic nomination for mayor.

Republican Barry Lee Cohen, who narrowly lost to Mayor Nancy Rossi in the 2021 election, announced in May that he is making another run for mayor. Fellow Republicans Steven R. Mullins and Paige Weinstein have also announced their candidacies.