New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
Lotto back in Hamden mayoral race
Former Independent running as a write-in
HAMDEN — He’s back. Albert Lotto, the Independent mayoral candidate who dropped out of the race last month, has registered as a write-in candidate for the town’s top office, he announced Tuesday morning.
He’s the second person to do so in advance of the Nov. 2 municipal election.
Melinda Saller, who unsuccessfully sought the nomination for town clerk in the Democratic primary, also has filed paperwork with the Secretary of the State’s Office. Gabe Rosenberg, the agency’s spokesman, shared that news last week with the New Haven Register.
Lotto encouraged his supporters in a Facebook post to write in Saller’s name, too.
In that post, the school bus driver and record store owner told supporters he had re-entered the race due to popular demand.
“Let it be known if you are not happy with either candidate, voice your opinion loud and clear,” he wrote in a Facebook post. “The two party system in Hamden is over. If You want to see change, vote accordingly.”
Lotto successfully had petitioned for a spot on the ballot as part of a threeperson Independent slate, with Jay Kaye and David Bretko seeking at-large Legislative Council seats.
By late September, Kaye was the last man standing.
Bretko had quietly withdrawn, while Lotto announced his decision to drop out after allegedly receiving “venomous messages.” He has not publicly shared the messages or identified who sent them.
Despite the announcement, pro-Lotto lawn signs began popping up around town in the ensuing weeks. The former candidate, who has a large social media following thanks to his time administrating the “Hamden Crime Watchers” Facebook page, alluded to the possibility of a write-in candidacy.
His statements became more than suggestion Tuesday morning, when he indicated that he had officially registered.
Town Clerk Vera Morrison confirmed Lotto had filed the appropriate paperwork with the state.
Asked for comment, Lotto directed a reporter to his Facebook announcement. In it, he suggested his candidacy offered voters a choice between “far left or far right.”
“No one has given the independents and unaffiliated a voice before in Hamden,” he wrote. “Show the ‘experts’ that they highly underestimated you. They are afraid of having a third party. If you really want to see change, Come out and vote!”
Lotto will compete against Lauren Garrett, who won the Democratic primary in a landslide, as well as GOP candidate Ron Gambardella.
Saller faces Democratic town clerk candidate Karimah Mickens.