Hartford city treasurer not running for state job

“Given my decision, I will be supporting Karen Dubois-Walton as a candidate for the Office of the State Treasurer.” Adam Cloud, city of Hartford treasurer

City of Hartford Treasurer Adam Cloud will not seek the Democratic nomination for state treasurer, and instead has put his support behind a candidate from New Haven, who has not officially entered the race.

Cloud, who was seriously considering entering the race, said Tuesday in a text message that he has “proudly served” Hartford residents for more than a decade and will continue to do so.

“Given my decision, I will be supporting Karen Dubois-Walton as a candidate for the Office of the State Treasurer,” he said.

Dubois-Walton, head of the New Haven Housing Authority, is among the names of Democrats circulating as a possible candidate following Treasurer Shawn Wooden’s surprise announcement last week that he will not be seeking a second-term in office.

A Democratic candidate for mayor in New Haven last year, Dubois-Walton did not directly address her potential interest in the seat, but said in a text message Wednesday to “expect a big announcement coming soon.”

Nancy DiNardo, chair of the state Democratic party, said earlier Wednesday she is not aware of any other declared candidates in the race besides Dita Bharagava, of Greenwich, chief operating officer of a financial technology company based in Stamford. Rep. Harry Arora, R-Greenwich, is the only GOP candidate in the race.

DiNardo said in a text message that she would not speculate on potential candidates, “but there could be more coming in the next few days.”

Arunan Arulampalam, who in addition to Bharagava sought the office in 2018, was another Democrat weighing a run but has decided to remain in his current job as the CEO of the Hartford Land Bank.

Democrats have talked openly about wanting a statewide ticket that balances race, ethnicity and gender. The party has nominated a Black candidate, primarily from Hartford city politics, for state treasurer for more than 50 years. Dubois-Walton is a Black candidate and Bhargava is of Indian descent.

In addition to Wooden, Secretary of the State Denise Merrill is not seeking reelection, and Comptroller Kevin Lembo resigned in December for health reasons, creating three open seats for statewide constitutional offices.