The Democratic primary in Hamden will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 12. Registered Democrats in Hamden will vote to elect a candidate to run in the mayoral election on Tuesday Nov. 7.
Here are five things you need to know about the election:
1. Who are the candidates?
Incumbent Mayor Lauren Garrett is facing off against challenger Walter Morton IV. Hamden voters elected Garrett — the first female mayor of Hamden in more than two decades — to her first mayoral term in 2021. Garrett won the mayoral election over Republican nominee Ron Gambardella. For Morton, a Hamden native, this is his first time running for mayor. However, he has served as the chairman of the Hamden Board of Education for the last seven years.
2. What are the candidates promising?
Both Democratic candidates promise to address current Hamden issues. Garrett said her top campaign priorities include managing the town’s financial issues and expanding Hamden businesses. Morton said he aims to increase education spending, prioritize public safety and decrease property tax rates.
3. Why does this primary matter?
This Democratic primary will decide Hamden’s Democratic representative in November’s mayoral election. The last four Hamden mayors have been Democrats, and as of 2020, there are over 20,000 registered Democrats in Hamden but less than 5,000 registered Republicans. And historically, the Democratic primary has played a key role in determining the new mayor of Hamden. The previous four Hamden mayors were Democrats.
4. What differentiates the candidates?
Morton received more donations than Garrett while campaigning. Their policies are similar, but their ideas and views for the future of Hamden differ. Morton wants to make the community safer, and he thinks that his experience in the military has prepared him for any challenges he will face.
In particular, Morton wants to address one of the biggest issues facing Hamden residents: high property tax rates. At 55.48, Hamden has the third-highest mill rate — which is used to calculate the property tax rate — in the state, something he vows to change if elected.
Garrett has prioritized state funding in her two years as mayor. She secured over $20 million in state funding and allocated the grant money to different areas of the community. She also campaigned on prioritizing education in Hamden by creating a classroom environment where students do not experience racism and are able to learn in a positive manner.
5. How do they plan to address the financial issues in Hamden?
Although both candidates campaigned with Hamden’s current financial situation in mind, the two Democrats have different ideas about how to address the issue. Morton wants to attract new businesses to the area and in order to do that, he wants to lower the property taxes in the town.
Garrett also wants to attract new businesses to the area by relaxing the town’s strict zoning laws. Both candidates have promised to address the high mill rate — which increased for fiscal year 2023-24 — if elected.
Registered Democrats will cast ballots at designated locations across Hamden on Tuesday.