West Haven Mayor Rossi Won’t Seek Re-Election: Report

WEST HAVEN, CT — Incumbent Democratic West Haven Mayor Nancy Rossi won’t run for re-election, according to WTNH News 8.

WTNH reports Rossi, who was first elected in 2017, announced that she wouldn’t seek a fourth term in office during a Zoom call with the West Haven Town Democratic Committee on Wednesday night.

Rossi has been under fire since October 2021 when the state audited the city’s use of federal COVID-19 relief funds. Former State Rep. Michael DiMassa, who also worked as Administrative Assistant to the West Haven City Council, and three others were arrested following an investigation into the theft of federal COVID-19 relief funds.

Rossi defeated Republican Challenger Barry Lee Cohen by 32 votes (4,275 to 4,243) in the 2021 election following an automatic recount. Cohen announced last week that he has entered the 2023 mayoral race.

Fellow Republicans Steven R. Mullins and Paige Weinstein have also announced their candidacies, the New Haven Register previously reported.

Former Democratic Mayor Ed O’Brien announced in February that he has formed an exploratory committee for another run this November.