After previously saying he would not seek a second term, Democratic New London Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio has changed his mind.
Finizio made his announcement on his Facebook page Wednesday. After announcing in April he would not run for re-election, "many New Londoners came to me, at my office, at my house, on the street, urging me to reconsider and run for re-election," Finizio wrote.
But he cited Tuesday's election results in New London in his change-of-heart. In addition to Governor Dannel Malloy's re-election, New London voters approved all five referendum questions. One of those questions will the city an all-magnet school district.
"With the Governor's re-election secured, and the magnet school plan approved, however, I have had to rethink my decision," Finizio wrote. He also said his announcement in April was not "a ploy, or gimmick."
The Day of New London reported the mayor's reversal on Thursday and said another Democrat, City Councilor Michael Passero is expected to jump in the race.
“I made a decision on my political future weeks ago, and I feel I have a broad and very diverse base of support in the city,” Passero said Wednesday morning. “I decided that after three terms on the City Council, I am not prepared to seek another term on the City Council. I’ve been invested in this city my whole life, and I’m certainly not going to walk away with the job only partially done.”
Both men said they were waiting until after Election Day to make their official announcements.
This report includes information from The Associated Press.
