(NEW BRITAIN—WTIC News) Saying he’s the right man to unite New Britain—a largely Democratic city led by a Republican mayor for twelve years—Democrat Bobby Sanchez was inaugurated as the city’s new mayor Wednesday.
“We all want safe streets. We all want strong schools. We all want clean parks and vibrant neighborhoods. We all want a government that works and leaders that listen,” Sanchez told several hundred people in the auditorium at New Britain High School.
His nephew, state Rep. Manny Sanchez (D-New Britain), emphasized that his uncle is a good fit for his home city, saying, “He’s a people person. He’s caring. He’s charismatic, and he means what he says.”
Bobby Sanchez, a longtime state representative himself who will be resigning that part-time role in the wake of last week’s electoral win, told the crowd he’s anxious to tackle New Britain’s finances right away:
“I will call for an audit of city finances so we have clear picture of where we stand, so residents have confidence in how their tax dollars are being used.”
Sanchez also promises to soon assemble a “blue ribbon commission” on crime reduction, and plans to invest heavily in the city’s public schools.
Now-former Mayor Erin Stewart swore in her replacement. She chose not to run for a seventh two-year term, and is now expected to run for governor.
Sanchez defeated Stewart’s endorsed successor, Republican Sharon Beloin-Saavedra, in a win celebrated by his extended family.
“My grandparents came here from Puerto Rico with a dream,” says Manny Sanchez. “Bobby’s the wildest dream right now they could have imagined.”
Bobby Sanchez says his cousins have been serving as mayors of Rincon, Puerto Rico for generations, saying, “So, it runs in the family, and I’m the first one here in the United States. So, they’re all proud of me on the island of Puerto Rico.”
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) attended the inauguration, calling it “Morning in New Britain.”
Gov. Ned Lamont (D) told the crowd that New Britain has much to look forward to under Bobby Sanchez’ leadership, saying, “A lot of people want to be in this amazing city… People are coming back… and it starts with housing.
We’re going to do everything we can to keep growing, make sure that this is a place where each and every one of you (students) know you’ll be able to get that first place to rent, and that first place to live.”