Sabilia Backs Elm City Mayor for Governor

New London: Mayor Beth Sabilia endorsed New Haven Mayor John DeStefano Monday for the Democratic nomination for governor.

DeStefano, serving his seventh mayoral term, will square off against Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy in an Aug. 8 primary. The winner will run against Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell in the November election.

In her endorsement speech on the steps of City Hall, before a sparse gathering of local Democrats, Sabilia said DeStefano has worked hard to meet challenges that are similar to those New London faces.

"Nonprofits and tax-exempt institutions of higher education are welcome in our cities, but they pose special challenges," she said. "They are challenges he has dealt with."

Sabilia, who noted she is a mother of two, a taxpayer and a business owner, said DeStefano's leadership would energize Democrats and have a positive effect on neighborhoods, children, education and small business owners.

"John understands these things. He understands the challenges. He has risen to them and come away a winner," she said. "I look forward to John DeStefano motivating the state's Democratic voting base and taking on the governor and winning."

"New London feels like home," DeStefano said. "It's a port city. It has several colleges and a terrific downtown that can't be duplicated. And it has challenges.

"The state has a powerful interest in compensating cities that have tax-exempt institutions," he said. "It should have a huge interest in seeing that this police department has the resources it needs to do what they do so well, engage the communities and youth of New London."

Anthony Basilica, chairman of New London's Democratic party, said DeStefano understands a city like New London, which Basilica said makes him the best person to lead the state.

"He comes from a city like ours, in issues, the people he represents, the diversity, ethnicity," Basilica said. "It's important that the cities have someone they can communicate with and who understands city problems."

c.potter