Elicker endorses Bond for secretary of the state

NEW HAVEN — Mayor Justin Elicker threw his “strongest support” to city Health Director Maritza Bond in the secretary of the state race, in an announcement just one day before the state of the state convention.

The “bittersweet” possibility that “New Haven possibly loses Maritza Bond will be Connecticut’s gain,” Elicker said at a noon press conference on the Green.

Bond also won the endorsement Thursday of Guilford First Selectman Matthew Hoey. She said she was grateful and looking forward to the race.

Bond is in a tough race to try to become Connecticut’s first Latina secretary of the state — a race in which she is one of two Latina candidates, along with state Rep. Hilda Santiago, D-Meriden.

Elicker’s endorsements came a day after the chairs of two Latino political groups urged Gov.

Ned Lamont to support Bond’s rival, Santiago.

Rep. Gerry Reyes, DWaterbury, chairman of the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus in the General Assembly, and Miguel Castro, chairman of the Connecticut Hispanic Democratic Caucus, both threw their support to Santiago, urging Lamont to support her over Bond.

Bond said afterward that the endorsements of Santiago were no surprise.

“They’re her day-to-day colleagues,” she said.

“I’m going to go in and go hard” for the nomination, Bond said. “I’m going to get my 15 percent so I can get to the people” in a primary.

Elicker offered strong praise for Bond.

“I’ve gotten to know Director Bond very well over these past ... 3 1/2 years now” and “through example after example, she has shown me the qualities of her character that have made her an incredible leader for our city at a time of deep, deep challenge,” Elicker said.

“She has shown strong integrity to do the right thing,” he said. “She has shown that she is somebody who can listen and has a big heart ... and she connects with people because she’s genuine, because she’s someone that listens, because she’s someone that cares. “

Bond also “has shown that she works her tail off,” Elicker said.

“She’s texting me late at night, she’s texting me on the weekends ... because the reality is — particularly the past several years confronting COVID — you can’t wait until Monday morning to get work done,” he said.

Bond, who grew up in New Haven’s Fair Haven section, said later, “I’m so grateful to be here ... It means the world to me that Justin Elicker, our great mayor, who has done a great job and who has been my boss for the last (few) years, is here endorsing me here today.”

“This will give me a big boost in heading into the convention this weekend,” she said.