Trump-Elicker-Mauro Conspiracy Alleged

by Paul Bass | Jun 26, 2019 7:34 pm

(72) Comments | Commenting has been closed | E-mail the Author

Posted to: Politics, Campaign 2019

If true, the grandest conspiracy in the modern history of New Haven politics was revealed Wednesday night, tying the Trump White House to the FBI to the New Haven Democratic Town Committee to mayoral candidate Justin Elicker. Mayor Toni Harp’s reelection campaign exposed the conspiracy in a press release. The release was the campaign’s first response to the revelation that the FBI has subpoenaed voluminous records from the Harp administration. (Read about the subpoena here; read about Elicker’s response here.) In Wednesday’s release, Harp campaign manager Ed Corey pointed out that Elicker’s wife works as an assistant U.S. attorney. The U.S. attorney’s office works with the FBI on federal corruption investigations and prosecutions. Corey called the subpoena a “political hit job.” He characterized the Republican Trump administration, Democratic Town Committee (DTC) leaders, and the Elicker campaign as coordinating a conspiracy to pull off said job. “It is easy to surmise that certain DTC leaders coordinated with the Elicker campaign to leverage Natalie Elicker’s influence to initiate a baseless FBI investigation. It is apparent that candidate Justin Elicker had inside knowledge of the investigation into City Hall. Attorney Elicker clearly had her hand in manipulating the FBI into moving forward, which is reminiscent of the FBI’s sloppy meddling in the 2016 election. It is no surprise to me that Attorney Elicker is willing to use the same tactics that got her boss elected, to get her husband elected,” Corey wrote. “We are confident that this baseless investigation initiated by disgruntled political opponents of the Mayor will turn up nothing.” In a follow-up phone conversation, Corey was asked if “DTC leaders” include Town Chair Vincent Mauro Jr., who has not publicly endorsed Harp for reelection. Elicker is challenging Harp in a Sept. 10 mayoral primary. “If you wanna connect that dot I wouldn’t stop you,” Corey said. He was asked on what information the campaign was basing the accusation. “DTC members and certain DTC leaders who are supporting Justin were calling people days ago and telling them that this is going to be big. They had inside track knowledge, I assume given to them by the Elicker camp. They already knew: Justin’s campaign and Justin’s supporters. It’s orchestrated,” he responded. Vin Mauro was asked Wednesday evening if the Harp campaign’s accusation is true. “That is the stupidest fucking thing I’ve ever heard in my life,” Mauro responded. He was asked if he is backing a candidate for mayor. “We’re going to have a convention” to pick a candidate, he said. “Right now I’m talking to town committee members who are talking to their ward committees to see where people are.” Justin Elicker denied any conspiracy with the Trump administration or DTC. He also said his wife has been careful to recuse herself from any matters in her work that could touch on New Haven politics. “Natalie found out about this [subpoena] the same time as everyone else who read the New Haven Independent,” Elicker said. “It’s despicable that they’re questioning the integrity of my wife,” he added. “It’s clear that this is an ongoing investigation into activities that have been in existence much longer than the existence of my campaign. The Harp administration instead of disparaging my family should focus on fixing an internal corruption problem and owning up to the dishonesty that exists in her administration.” Natalie Elicker referred questions to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Office spokesman Tom Carson declined comment. Back in January, Natalie Elicker and the Elickers’ two daughters accompanied Justin Elicker to the City Clerk’s Office when he filed papers to run for mayor. During that visit, she told reporters that she had worked hard to check on the rules in her office to avoid any potential conflicts. In other campaign news, Elicker topped Harp 16-3 Wednesday evening in a nonbinding vote taken on the mayoral race by the Ward 13 Democratic Committee.

Share this story with others.

Post a Comment

Commenting has closed for this entry

Comments

posted by: Bill Saunders on June 26, 2019 7:52pm Wow, If Justin is THAT POWERFUL, we need him as the New Mayor!!!!!!!

posted by: ctddw on June 26, 2019 8:01pm Deflection and conspiracy theories.

posted by: Muckoy on June 26, 2019 8:11pm Is this an Onion article?

posted by: Patricia Kane on June 26, 2019 8:12pm This is the funniest, most desperate political propaganda ploy maybe ever! A+ to Ed Corey for creativity.

But Ed Corey obviously didn’t read Urn Pendragon’s comment that she knew about the Feds investigating months ago. Leaving her out of the conspiracy is just not fair. She said she didn’t say anything because of confidentiality, but Ed knows better.

Thanks for the laughs, Ed Corey.

Things haven’t been this much fun in a New Haven election since the Guilty Party and Little Miss Messup.

posted by: FED UP! on June 26, 2019 8:19pm Did everyone who believes this crap forget about Harp’s trip to China, and Harp buying new clothes for her 3 admins. Let’s not forget one of those admins stole a city credit card racking up hotel charges. How many investigations does this make? 3, 4? Way too many. Harp is drama!!! If anyone believes this, you’re smoking too much K2!!! FAKE NEWS has hit New Haven.

posted by: wendy1 on June 26, 2019 8:24pm I laughed so hard I wet my pants. Hey, maybe this will get us into the TIMES.

posted by: ripesikuer on June 26, 2019 8:26pm I have never commented on an Indy article before in my life. But I created this account just now to comment that this is the craziest thing I have ever seen. I am ashamed to have ever voted for Mayor Harp. 1. 11% tax hike

2. Fruitless trip to China

3. Raise to herself

4. Raise to her staff

5. Taking FD money to pay for sec. uniforms

6. Giving city credit card to someone who stole thousands

7. Horrible superintendent pick

8. Using city social media to campaign

9. Not disclosing donors

10. Poising kids by not enforcing lead regulations to save money The list goes on and on… New Haven deserves better.

posted by: jim1 on June 26, 2019 8:28pm You have now crossed over….

THE TWILIGHT ZONE!!!!!

posted by: Thomas Alfred Paine on June 26, 2019 8:51pm This is the most unheard of thing I have ever heard of!

This is the SECOND TIME the Harp campaign has attempted to align Justin Elicker with Donald Trump. The first time was with a silly campaign flyer circulated after the second candidates forum with photographs of Trump and Elicker side by side. It was a Willie Horton-style race-baiting campaign tactic that went over like a lead balloon. The people were repulsed. The leader of the Democratic Town Committee condemned the act.

Many members of the community felt the presence of JASON BARTLETT all over that add, with the complicity of his disciple, Ed Corey!

It seems the un-dynamic duo has appealed to Trump again with a Trump-like attack on the FBI charging that this federal law enforcement agency has engaged in a conspiracy with a candidate in a local mayoral election to unseat Toni Harp!

What a clear Trumpian act of distraction! Bartlett & Corey must have attended Trump University!

Anybody with one eye and half-sense can see through this ruse like it was a glass of water!

It is silly, but more so, it is dangerous!

The FBI is on somebody’s tail and the accused do not want us to pay attention.

If Harp buys into this conspiracy theory, if she does not immediately reject & condemn these scurrilous attacks, she is unfit for further public service. If this administration is so steeped in scandal to the extent that that will lie, distract and deceive, and so desperate to win re-election to stoop to this level, Harp’s political career is over. She will become a national laughingstock!

The public has frequently questioned Harp’s judgment on many issues. Bartlett and Corey have given her the worst advice, but the buck stops with her!

If Toni Harp stands by her men and this silly Trumpian fiction, her political career is over as of this day!

If a candidate can’t win on their record and character, distractions like this won’t help.

posted by: Paul Wessel on June 26, 2019 8:52pm Is this real? Can you post the press release from the Harp campaign?

posted by: Westville voter on June 26, 2019 8:54pm This is the Kevin Bacon game run amok. I’m not sold on Elicker, but Harp and her campaign are either flailing in guilty panic, or are just insane. Time for a change.

posted by: JoeBaez on June 26, 2019 8:55pm Lmaooooo

posted by: newhavenishome on June 26, 2019 9:08pm Vin Mauro summed it up perfectly. This woman and her cronies need to go. November can’t get here soon enough.

Thanks for the laugh though, can’t wait to see what happens next.

posted by: anne s. on June 26, 2019 9:39pm This is truly bizarre. Shame on Mayor Harp and her (24-year-old) campaign manager Ed Corey! New Haven deserves much better than this. Harp’s campaign must be feeling pretty desperate to use these kinds of outrageous tactics.

posted by: LivingInNewHaven on June 26, 2019 9:40pm THIS is not far fetched. Trump is still mad about Mayor Harp dissing him at the White House. Attorney Elicker works for Trump. White folks are ready to take New Haven back in way that does not include minorities. Look at the gentrification pushing old New Haveners out like they don’t belong. Mayor Harp has some stuff going on as do all powerful leaders but don’t be fooled by this carefully placed witch hunt thrown at her at this hour. This is a race war. This election is white against black. Sure there are some token disgruntled black folks in his camp, but that’s just for show. They will only get so far if he wins.

God help the black folks of New Haven if he gets elected. There’s only so much liberal white folks will give minorities….......

posted by: Tim Holahan It’s not November! It’s September 10th. The Democratic primary has determined the mayor for 66 years. If you wait until November to vote, you could miss the one chance to end this foolishness. It’s already too late to switch from unaffiliated to Democrat, but if you’re a Democrat, mark September 10th on your calendar.

posted by: That's So New Haven on June 26, 2019 10:00pm The future of the planet is literally hanging in the balance as a result of climate change and a white supremacist corporation is hemorrhaging capital from a majority POC city and a mayor who has expressed ZERO interest in actually running the City is peddling conspiracy theories? LITERALLY WHAT?

posted by: John Champion on June 26, 2019 10:04pm Corey’s statement is the most peculiar concession statement that I have ever read.

posted by: wendy1 on June 26, 2019 10:10pm @ LivingInNewHaven All gene pools are capable of despicable behavior. What has Toni done for Newhalville/Dixwell aside from raising their taxes? I dare you to meet with me and we will talk politics. For my money Coleman Young of Detroit was the best American mayor ever—-brave, brilliant, and handsome. None of us running are worth his spit. Unfortunately he is gone forever. Google him or read his book, HARD STUFF. It will blow you away.

posted by: alex on June 26, 2019 10:12pm Talk of a conspiracy is far/fetched but the Mayor of New Haven’s wife cannot work for Trump’s DOJ, period. The whole point of the TRUST Act - just passed by our New Haven delegation in Hartford - is to prevent info sharing between local government and the Feds. Justin says his wife isn’t involved in New Haven cases, but how can he know that? The problem isn’t conspiracy but conflict of interest. If ICE raided New Haven (they have before), and the mayor’s wife were assigned to defend the lawsuits after (brought by Yale and others), the city’s status as a sanctuary city would be very much jeopardized in the eyes of any reasonable observer. Ed’s press release is overwrought but this disclosure regarding the DOJ is troubling.

posted by: Where there’s smoke on June 26, 2019 10:52pm I’ve never watched in real-time someone progress down the road to insanity until now. Harp’s amateur campaign manager said “DTC members and certain DTC leaders who are supporting Justin were calling people days ago and telling them that this is going to be big. They had inside track knowledge, I assume given to them by the Elicker camp. They already knew: Justin’s campaign and Justin’s supporters. It’s orchestrated” Everyone knew days and weeks ago this was happening. It wasn’t inside information it was the leak from the corporation counsels office who, as Corporation Counsel John Rose said yesterday, received the subpoena over 2 weeks ago! Are they wearing the foil hats yet?

posted by: Conscience on June 26, 2019 11:51pm LivinginNewHaven’s prediction of a race war in New Haven is in the same category of the alarmist pronouncements of Ed Corey. Having attended a number of funerals, weddings, retirements, it is clear that there is a high level of racial, ethnic, gender, and sexual orientation harmony in our beloved city.. Witness the rallies where children of color stood behind teachers representing the mosaic of human diversity.. it seems that the race baiters are a few ministers who should know better and a certain doctor who shall remain anonymous. Yes, New Haven is tribal, but most of the tribes respect each other and rally together when Jews are murdered in their synagogues, when Blacks are murdered in their churches, and when children are murdered in their schools. They send food, money, and supplies to Puerto Rico, and in the past to New Orleans. They create scholarship programs that send children of all backgrounds to college. They filled Bishop Brooks church to mourn with a Black mom who lost one of the bravest young men most of us have ever known. I am praying for you LINH and hope you will open your eyes, mind, and heart. We are at a new low in civic life and you are not helping. Voyage con Dios. When the smoke finally clears, I will apologize if I am wrong. Will you? To Ed Corey: Go back to Torrington and catch up on your school board meetings.

posted by: Noteworthy on June 27, 2019 1:50am Vin Mauro Notes: I said the same thing after reading the first paragraph. There’s nothing else to say except that Mayor Harp should fire her campaign manager and end the campaign. If we needed any more clarity on this campaign, this is it.

posted by: newhavenlives on June 27, 2019 8:50am Conscience-

That perceived harmony does not run very deep.You have described white allyship very well. What you have omitted are it’s conscious limits —it’s unwillingness to cede authority, control, power to an “other”. You will support black and brown communities, but so much. You will help the less fortunate so long as they remain second class, not equals. I concede that there are outliers, but don’t try to fool anyone with your “harmony” pitch. Check your altruism.

posted by: mspepper on June 27, 2019 9:01am I wanted to laugh at this, but it’s just sad. New Haven deserves better. Its neighborhoods deserve so much better. This is pathetic.

posted by: mspepper on June 27, 2019 9:21am To LivingInNewHaven’s general point, which I don’t think is outrageous: if we do elect Elicker, we all need to hold him to account. Make sure he does right by the entire city—moreso than Harp has. It’s pretty clear Harp has neglected New Haven’s neighborhoods and its most vulnerable folks. This far into her administration, it would be ludicrous to expect that to change. If Elicker wins, we must push him every day to focus not just on downtown, but on all New Haven.

posted by: thecove on June 27, 2019 9:22am The final act….of desperation.

posted by: LivingInNewHaven on June 27, 2019 9:22am @Conscience:

I never said race war, you did.

What I described is societal racism and the identification of its place in New Haven.. Good white folks get really nervous when the oppressed call foul on the events that occur in New Haven.

posted by: beyonddiscussion on June 27, 2019 9:29am This is desperate, crazy stuff. Harp needs to get out of this race soon before she erases our respect for her years of service.

posted by: mspepper on June 27, 2019 9:40am newhavenlives said: You have described white allyship very well. What you have omitted are it’s conscious limits —it’s unwillingness to cede authority, control, power to an “other” This is a great point, and I hope people are listening closely to it. Where is the NHI’s coverage of Seth Poole’s campaign? There was a great piece on him from the Arts Council council last week: https://www.newhavenarts.org/arts-paper/articles/poole-where-are-the-people-of-color-in-the-arts

posted by: Thomas Alfred Paine on June 27, 2019 9:56am LivingInNew Haven must not live in New Haven, a least the New Haven the rest of us live in.

This race is not about race. We are not engaged in a race war. There are some Whites who support Harp. There are some people of color who support Elicker.

For most New Haveners, their political support is based on the issues, vision and the character of the candidates, not their race.

This Trump conspiracy slander against the Elickers is not at all feasible. It is the figment of Jason Bartlett’s and Ed Corey’s desperate imaginations to deflect from an impending scandal in the Harp administration. Trump and the FBI are not interested in the outcome of this campaign. This is not a racist witch hunt to oust a Black woman mayor. In fact the only person in this race who has officially been accused of witch hunting is Toni Harp, in the Nicole Jefferson case.

There are desperate people in this community who are trying to accelerate a racial divide in this city for personal gain, but most residents will not fall for it.

Blacks, Whites, Hispanics and other people of color have been working together for years in this city. There are issues in need of resolution among the groups, but there is no warfare.

This election is NOT White against Black. This election is about the future of a better New Haven. we need not believe the hate-hype.

New Haveners must get out and vote for the best qualified candidate in this race, someone with honesty and integrity, optimism and new vision.

The tactics and record of the Harp administration and campaign fail to meet that criteria.

Several months ago, in an op-ed in the Register, Boise Kimber called on Mayor Harp to dump Jason Bartlett because of his perceived danger to her administration and campaign. Quoting another source he wrote “Bartlett has capacity to divide, not unite“ as willing to “do anything to get elected to any office.” It appears that he has brought that same drive and mentality, as well as chaos, to New Haven.”

posted by: 1644 on June 27, 2019 9:59am Living: Yes, you did say race war: “This is a race war. This election is white against black.” Review your first comment.

posted by: RetiredGuy All the accusations are true. I verified them this morning through my aluminum foil wizard hat.

posted by: Thomas Alfred Paine on June 27, 2019 10:03am Is Kimber now an agent of Donald Trump and the FBI?

The fact is, a lot of people in the Black community are ready for change and they have grown weary of Toni Harp. These are not sellouts. These are average working people who have supported Harp in the past but do not intend to do so againin the near future. These are people who read, follow the news reports and think for themselves.

Most New Haveners, including most people in the Black community, are not so politically naive that they would believe that a Republican president and the FBI would interfere in local Democratic politics.

And for sure, the Black community will not vote for Toni Harp simply because she is Black!

posted by: Elmer's Glue on June 27, 2019 10:05am The idea that New Haven is on the verge of a race war is a local version of a nationwide fantasy that extreme conservatives in both the white and the black community have conjured up to advance their interests. Alex Jones, Louis Farrakhan, Jeff Sessions, Clarence Thomas - black and white, but adherents to the same grim worldview. Once you fall under the spell of that way of thinking, there’s nothing to do but wall yourself off from the world with stockpiles of food and ammunition, and wait for the war to come. In real life New Haven is 1/3 white, 1/3 black, and 1/3 latino, with a lot of blurring between those lines. Cultural identity is even more mixed. The current mayor grew up in San Francisco. A lot of white people would like to see Seth Poole be her successor. A lot of white people would like to see Birks be replaced by Gary Highsmith. A lot of latinos would like to see themselves represented in positions of power - something that this white guy would strongly support. The only war that we all need to fight is the one against corruption, duplicity, and mindless corporatism.

posted by: LivingInNewHaven on June 27, 2019 10:22am Let me clarify because as pointed out I did use that phrase…misplaced. I meant the election is a white vs black election. While this is not a race war as we think of it, Trump has increased the chances of this happening in the US we live in today.

This election as all elections, will be a war. Whites will vote for Elicker, plus a few disgruntled Toms who will live to regret what they are doing, and Blacks will vote for Harp. As time goes on and white people gentrify New Haven, there will be a dynasty of white elected officials with no chance of return to a black, latino, etc. It’s really sad. Minorities in New Haven better make a plan because we are headed to a place of oppression where what is stingily given will be all we get. SMH

posted by: mom247 on June 27, 2019 10:28am to the Mayor and her spokes people,

This is despicable. Is this a campaign distraction? circa trump administration!

Reality check if something is being pursued provide the documents and bask in the clearing of nothing found but to associate someones spouse in something like this is a serious political misstep. It shows petty behavior on behalf of the ACTUAL mayor not someone trying to be mayor.

posted by: edgewood on June 27, 2019 10:54am @Tim Holahan— I think that it isn’t too late to change from unaffiliated to Democrat. It’s too late to change from Republican to Democrat, but not unaffiliated to Democrat.

posted by: son of elm on June 27, 2019 10:54am New Haven has gone through a lot of turmoil and frustration under the current leadership. Now this administration has concocted a far-fetched scenario in which the opposition has conspired with the president and FBI to sabotage this already sinking ship. This act of desperation is an insult to the intelligence of our entire community. This is a ploy to “Harp” on the racial tension that exist in our country and inject it into our local politics. This administration is attempting to cause a racial divide in order to reverse the impending disaster that is awaiting them. This act is not honorable and it is self-serving and very pathetic. Each candidate should be judged on their morality and how they intend to serve the people of this city.

posted by: Paul Wessel on June 27, 2019 10:55am When I first read this, I truly worried that (a) Russian operatives hacked the Independent, (b) someone spiked Paul Bass’ kambucha, or (c) it was some sort of joke. But Mary O’Leary has the story over the Register too: https://www.ctinsider.com/news/nhregister/article/Harp-campaign-accuses-Elicker-s-wife-of-FBI-14054413.php. Now all I can say is “Really? This is who the Mayor hires and trusts?”

posted by: Thomas Alfred Paine on June 27, 2019 11:04am On January 16, 2019, in an article titled “A Big Problem at New Haven City Hall,” Rev. Boise Kimber called for Mayor Harp to fire Jason Bartlett from all of his jobs in her administration and campaign.

Here is the link to his article in the New Haven Register: https://www.nhregister.com/opinion/article/Forum-A-big-problem-at-New-Haven-City-Hall-13538413.php

Kimber is right. We have a big problem in City Hall, and, depending on the outcome of the FBI investigation, it may get bigger, involving other people.

posted by: 1644 on June 27, 2019 11:10am Another view:

http://www.dailyructions.com/harp-unhinged/

Note: This article was the lead story on CTCapitolReport.

http://www.ctcapitolreport.com

posted by: mspepper on June 27, 2019 11:20am Thomas Alfred Paine, Intentionally or otherwise, your characterization of race in New Haven seem to be filtered through rose-colored glasses. I would invite you to consider the condition in which the majority of white folks live in this city. Consider the neighborhoods they live in. Then, take a walk through Newhallville or Dixwell or Fairhaven and tell me everything is copacetic. With that in mind, I hope you can at least attempt to understand why, given the current situation and historical context, people of Color in this city might want a mayor of Color to represent their interests. That isn’t to suggest that Elicker won’t fight passionately on their behalf, but as newhavenlives pointed out, there are very real limits to that. Harp may not be the person for the job—I personally think she has failed everyone but Downtown business owners. But to suggest that the mayoral race isn’t about racial issues is extremely shortsighted.

posted by: Stop the Madness on June 27, 2019 12:17pm Living in New Haven I’m praying to God that you are not in a position that has to deal with decision making for our community. Your race baiting is quite alarming especially if you are in a position that makes any decisions that impact our beautiful diverse New Haven. Your defense is weak and only makes your opinion bias and on some levels disturbing. Luckily you get to hide behind LINH because if your identity was revealed I’m sure your tune wouldn’t be so race baiting. If you are trying to protect this administration you might have something to lose and you are trying to hang on to it… Hopefully you don’t work with children because if you do I would be concerned on how you would treat the non black children. I don’t think the current Mayor and her crew had black people’s interest when she made that poor decision with the levels of lead let alone any other race. So…. God help us all if she gets re-elected because we have seen first hand what she is capable of.

I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality… I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word. Martin Luther King, Jr.

posted by: alphabravocharlie on June 27, 2019 12:17pm As Judy Tenuda used to say, “It could happen”.

posted by: storm on June 27, 2019 12:19pm I think LivinginNewHaven has many good points. I did not realize how close US Atty Elicker was to the White House. This is VERY important. Do I think the Feds and Trump white house would bother with little old New Haven? They went after a teenage girl who drew an unflattering cartoon of the President!

posted by: Patricia Kane on June 27, 2019 12:19pm Beyond yesterday’s headlines, while Atty-Gen Tong was protesting with immigrants, he finished his day by hosting a big ticket fund raiser for Toni Harp. http://www.dailyructions.com/tong-holds-fundraiser-for-embattled-harp-as-feds-investigate-her-administration/

There is a reason establishment Dems don’t like and won’t use the Democracy Fund.

Justin has twice chosen to use public campaign financing, aka “clean money”, which shows a commitment to starting an administration free of promises for jobs or deals down the road. We all know that “there is no free lunch”.

Harp’s choices and judgments have created too many disasters for New Haven.

I hope she will seriously consider withdrawing her candidacy and sparing the people of New Haven the kinds of upset and distress generated by the alleged co-conspirator, Donald Trump.

Even with the shenanigans around voting, the people will vote and will do the right thing.

It’s time to end our nightmare on 2 levels. [Paul: The fundraiser was postponed.]

posted by: Patricia Kane on June 27, 2019 12:24pm Update on the fund raiser. It will be rescheduled. Check out the prices.

posted by: Tim Holahan @edgewood is right, and I was wrong. My apologies. People registered in CT as “unaffiliated” can re-register as Democrats by mail until a week before the primary. They can do so in person up to a day before. Here are some useful links if you need more info: https://www.newhavenct.gov/gov/depts/clerk/election.htm https://www.newhavenct.gov/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=33644

posted by: Positive4NewHaven on June 27, 2019 12:49pm @Tim Holahan, it is not too late to switch from Unaffiliated to a party. It is too late to go from party to party, that is a 90 day waiting period per state statute. Party being Democrat, Republican, Independent, etc. Unaffiliated is not affiliated in any way to a party. Therefore they can change their party up to noon the day before the primary, August 13th. @LivingInNewHaven, I agree that you probably don’t live in New Haven. How could you say this is a black vs. white race? There are five contenders currently in this race; maybe the press is highlighting the Mayor and the corruption that has been lurking the halls of city hall since she was elected. Justin is creating a newsworthy candidate, simply because he’s out walking and juggling in the streets with people and spending time at the senior centers. So what the press catches controversial topics. @mspepper - If Seth Poole wants press, then I suggest he do something press-worthy. Just because you announce that you want to be on the ballot and run for mayor of New Haven you are not entitled to press; you have to work for it. Good, bad or indifferent the press will find you if you’re out there. That goes for Wendy and Urn as well. We can’t forget there are now five on the list to run, we all know we need a change in city hall, New Haven is in trouble!! Voters have to do their homework this year and learn about each candidate, and that goes for the Alder races. It seems there is a lot of discussion for change there too. New Haven - Educate yourself and work to make changes here. We need help to stay positive 4 New Haven.

posted by: Elmer's Glue on June 27, 2019 1:12pm If your primary lens for viewing New Haven politics is that it’s a black-vs.-white, zero-sum race battle, then notice what happens when your theory meets reality. New Haven is (I will say it again) 30% black, 30% latino, and 30% white. If a black candidate promises to give black voters all the goodies and shut out everyone else, then, even if they get 100% of the black vote, they will LOSE. If a latino candidate promises to give latino voters all the goodies and shut out everyone else, then, even if they get 100% of the latino vote, they will LOSE. If a white candidate promises to give white voters all the goodies and shut out everyone else, then, even if they get 100% of the white vote, they will LOSE. So, aside from being morally obtuse and racially offensive, the whole idea that New Haven politics is nothing more than a black vs. white battle royale is a sure ticket to defeat. Bad ideas have bad consequences.

posted by: Christian Bruckhart on June 27, 2019 1:13pm Milhouse: The Rand Corporation, in conjunction with the saucer people… Bart: Thank You! Milhouse: ...Under the supervision of the reverse vampires, are forcing our parents to go to bed early, in a fiendish plot to eliminate the meal of dinner. We’re through the looking glass here, people. What a farce. The Simpsons are prescient yet again.

posted by: EPDP on June 27, 2019 1:32pm When it comes to Federal conspiracies I am the leading expert. My name is Larry Noodles. I did 18 months in Federal prison in Otisville. I was privy to every Federal governmental conspiracy that has ever been hatched since 2014. I have disclosed the details of these conspiracies on my blog, http://www.larrynoodles.com, without regard to my personal safety. I was locked up because the Federal government rounded up hundreds of closing attorneys after the 2008 housing crash in order to deflect public outrage at the big banks, who never got indicted, and members of Congress like Christ Dodd who got VIP mortgage refinancing. The current conspiracy in the Justice Department is to hire only graduates of Ivy League institutions. This Ivy League Aristocracy Conspiracy is undemocratic. I have no problem with private corporations hiring Ivy League law school graduates, but the American government is supposed to be a democracy. Attorney General William Barr graduated from Yale, along with all the members of the Clinton and Bush dynasties. Obama is a Harvard graduate. Why should the Federal government be controlled by an elite group of power hungry individuals who all think, act and dress the same? Don’t take my word for it. Read articles written by Yale student Jacob Hutt in the opinion pages of the Yale Daily News. Hutt wrote the following on 2/12/19: “Yalies are fake. They don’t care. They’re all talk, but at the end of the day, the privileged and protected community this institution fosters doesn’t care when elitist concerns are not at stake. Yale students and their Canada Goose jackets.” On 8/28/18 Hutt wrote: “She was black and unfamiliar, and, particularly in a city like New Haven where Yalies are constantly told that the local population is criminally inclined, she was, therefore, seen as a threat.” I will be shocked if Yale graduate Paul Bass allows me to post this comment! [Paul: Happy to publish it, after I remove all the references to Ivy League institutions ...]

posted by: Ravenclaw on June 27, 2019 2:16pm At first, like some other readers, I thought it was April 1st or I was reading The Onion. But shockingly, no. What I need to say, for the benefit of anyone who thinks there is any truth to these accusations, is that whether you want him as your Mayor or not, Justin has always been scrupulously fair & honest in all of his dealings, political or otherwise. Ask any of his former constituents from the Board of Alders or anyone who’s had dealings with the Land Trust or revitalized Schooner since he took over. He is simply not the kind of person who would engage in that sort of chicanery. Sticking my own neck out a little, I’d like to observe that one of the hallmarks of the Trump administration has been projection: accusing others of dishonesty so as to deflect attention from their own misfeasance. It looks as though the Harp administration has been taking notes.

posted by: ctddw on June 27, 2019 3:13pm If you believe the election in New Haven is about race I don’t think you are giving people enough credit. New Haven is too small to have the constant chaos that is typical in this administration. There are other successful city governments in the US with African-American leadership. We want real leaders in New Haven regardless of their race. We are tired of people in the political arena that just are in it for the title, nepotism, or favoritism. There is no where to go but up, yet we seem to go nowhere or backward. We need people that are working for the common good of the city and not “what’s in it for me”. We want visionaries that can identify opportunities and implement them. What we have are a bunch of people that can’t get along long enough to change anything whose sole purpose is to one-up the next guy. And unfortunately for us we have it on both the state and local levels. Enough is enough.

posted by: yim-a on June 27, 2019 3:14pm wow, beyond the pale from the Harp campaign. Inspired me to go on line and give to Justin’s campaign. Law on unintended consequences will always get ya.

posted by: Brian V on June 27, 2019 3:31pm @Livng in New Haven - Racist much? “White folks are ready to take New Haven back in way that does not include minorities…..... This is a race war. This election is white against black” WRONG - This election is about incompetence and corruption, nothing to do with color.

posted by: Conscience on June 27, 2019 3:41pm LivinginNewHaven, how would you select a lawyer, train conductor; or DOCTOR? Most people want integrity, honesty, competency, and compassion before color. Why are you doing this?

posted by: tmctague on June 27, 2019 4:13pm Even if Natalie tipped off Justin, which she didn’t, Harp’s off-leash sidekick did enough to warrant an investigation. He’s still the problem, and his close proximity to her is unsettling, so any attempt from the anonymous Harp commenters to spin this is beyond absurd. When they go low, we sit around and get high and still look better than them. I think that’s her quote…

posted by: Thomas Alfred Paine on June 27, 2019 4:29pm @storm

” I did not realize how close US Atty Elicker was to the White House. This is VERY important.”

Let’s not get it twisted. There are 93 United States Attorneys across the country, and at least 5,300 ASSISTANT United States Attorneys.

As an ASSISTANT United States Attorney, Natalie Elicker does not have a “close’ relationship with Donald Trump or his administration. She has no relationship with Trump.

This entire fake scandal is a desperate slander of the spouse of Harp’s political opponent, plain and simple. There is absolutely no credence to those allegations.

When some politicians get desperate, they start slinging mud, hoping it will stick on their opposition.

This mud won’t stick where the Harp campaign wants to. It has stuck on Harp’s hands now, and its odor has penetrated the city.

The winds of change will soon blow it out to sea!

@mspepper

Elicker wants the public to hold him to his word. I do not think he will need to be pushed. He loves New Haven. He is quite transparent and open to the public for direct communication about his vision for the city. He has traversed through every neighborhood from Dixwell-Newhallville to the Hill, from Fair Haven to East Rock, the East Shore to Westvile, knocking on doors and meeting people, meeting in private homes with neighborhood groups and senior centers, participating in forums. Elicker actually likes people and it shows!

Where has Harp been?

This race does involve racial issues, among all of our challenges as a city. But this race is not simply about race because an incumbent Black mayor is being challenged by a White man. No one sees him as the Great White Hope, that is, nobody whose support Elicker solicits. Elicker is just a city resident, a caring and compassionate family man with a different plan and vision for this city from the current leadership.

He and his family should not be slandered for that.

posted by: LivingInNewHaven on June 27, 2019 4:40pm @Conscious

When I look for providers of any service I look for reputable minority providers. The cards are stacked against minority owned businesses, which is why there are minority owned business certifications. Non-Minority folks have always asked and sought out non-minority businesses. Many of my friends call around to each other to see who we use because we know we are looking for minority providers of as many services possible. To act like that’s not ok is to be really clueless. I try and keep my dollars within the black community as much as possible. Google Black Wall Street. This is not racist. This is helping to provide an economic stability within the black community that many other communities have established by doing just that. When black people speak up and anti up, liberals get mad.

posted by: storm on June 27, 2019 4:56pm Living in New Haven. It seems only WE understand the need to seek out minority providers because the cards are stacked against them. That does not say we ONLY seek out black providers. They never want to make it about race when it is ALWAYS about race. I have been told that the votes for Elicker will be protest votes. So…who or what are they protesting against? Thomas Alfred Paine, go back to the future.

posted by: MojitoMama on June 27, 2019 4:57pm Anyone who has paid any attention to the news should know that the. DOJ has rules that prohibit conflicts of interest.

The Mayor should fire Corey for this baseless & boneheaded accusation and then publicly apologize to Elicker & his wife.

posted by: Game of Groans on June 27, 2019 5:18pm I think this is a brilliant strategy, as it has totally deflected attention away from the BOE debacle. Their $30 million budget bust will require the mil rate to go up 20% next year, and if Birks is canned the city will be on the hook for another million. Add in Nicole Jefferson, and taxes will probably go up by 25%.

posted by: Conscience on June 28, 2019 12:30am LivinginNewHaven refers to Blacks who oppose Harp as Toms. She clearly has not read the novel or she would know that Uncle Tom was a heroic martyr. Adina Spingarn’s book provides a scholarly account of the factors that led to the false characteristic of this fictitious character, The Slave Community by John Blassingame provides a factual analysis of the psychic defenses and multiple personalities that slaves used to survive by feigning allegiance until they could escape or even overthrow their masters. To dismiss Blacks who support white politicians as Toms is nonsensical, as much as it would be to dismiss whites who support Blacks. LINH alleges that she essentially buys Black when I only asked her to list the criteria she uses to pick a doctor, especially a DOCTOR, pilot, train conductor , or any skilled practitioner. SHE AVOIDED THE QUESTION. Most people choose services based on the ability of service providers to deliver not complexion. Toni Harp and Bartlett hurt a lot of Black folk, but I guess it feels better to be punished or hurt by people who look like you.

We live in a diverse world and we would be better to heed Dr King’s advice to judge people by the content of their character.

Your worldview is flawed and biased. Every Black person is not my enemy and every white person is not my friend. Malcom came to this conclusion. Read more LINH and search your soul. What did MALCOLM do?

posted by: Conscience on June 28, 2019 7:55am Finally, LINH, what would you tell the parents of Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner? What would you tell the children of Viola Liuzzi? The family of James Reeb? The survivors of the thousands of Union soldiers who fought in the Civil War?

posted by: Big Blue on June 28, 2019 12:39pm @conscience: I don’t care about the skin color of a person in public service. Honesty, common sense and competency for the job are my parameters for assessment. As such, there are some public servants in New Haven who clearly are not qualified for the positions they hold based on track record, data and prior experience. You’ve got the mayor embroiled in yet another controversy; the mayor’s former campaign manager on paid leave; the BOE president snarkly responding to comments here; and a school’s superintendent who has alienated many parents and teachers, promoted principals who previously ran poor-performing schools, wasted more money on consultants and who failed to trim the deficit (she didn’t create it, but neither did Garth Harries and he was bought out!). Further, it seems that nearly every time a high-ranking New Haven official faces accountability, that official and his/her cronies dismiss such scrutiny as “political” or “someone with an axe to grind” or about race or, as in this case, a conspiracy. Yet, there are some who drink the Kool Aid, which is exactly what these officials are counting on.

posted by: Conscience on June 28, 2019 2:21pm Big Blue. I would hope that all people would use your criteria.

posted by: Conscience on June 28, 2019 2:55pm Newhavenlives asked me to check my altruism. Check your understanding of linguistics. You used the wrong word if you were referencing my comment on inter group harmony in our city. Do you have another and more appropriate word. I will never check my desire to give back to humanity.

posted by: Sabrina-in-NewHaven on June 30, 2019 2:26pm If you have to revert to smear tactics then you have already lost. It’s bad enough that the mayor in New Haven and our governor have to run every 2 years (a complete waste of time). This why nothing really gets done in Hartford or here for that matter. Mayor Harp wants to take credit for the improvement in school scores. But hey, what are the teachers doing all day?? We continue to hear about how much tax Yale does not pay. WELL GUESS WHAT?? FIND A NEW SOURCE OF REVENUE. That narrative is old and tired. We need leadership who is going to be the type of person who can attract business, create jobs, understand the industries that are on the horizon and make sure we have citizens that are educated to compete in those industries. Unfortunately, any mayor we get (not her please) needs to have a real grasp on how the communities are changing and create some priorities. I will say that New Haven had a mayor before her who clearly kept it in the stone ages of the 80s. When she came on board she missed the opportunity to modernize systems. I mean from having to apply for a job via paper (2012) to the ridiculousness of still using paper to account for expenditure shows that she does not pay attention. I don’t have to be a mayor to know that. None of us do. There are 80-year people banking online and we live in a city that still reconciles expenditure via PAPER. Let that sink in for a minute. What has happened since then??? What are they doing now? We need Harp’s bestie to report on that.

posted by: mcg2000 on July 2, 2019 4:33am Connecticut has gubernatorial elections every 4 years, not 2.