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“Make no mistake, our city is a great city, but no great city can rest on its laurels,” Martin said as he threw his hat in the ring in a speech Monday night at the Stamford Government Center.
His campaign will focus on five areas: economic opportunities, education, public safety, infrastructure, including schools and parks, and sound government. Martin added that he has met with people all over the city to listen to their problems and wants to help solve them.
“If the issue is important to you or important for your family or your neighbor, then it’s important to me,” Martin said.
He said he understands that the city faces many controversial issues, such as the boatyard, Water Pollution Control Authority and the animal shelter. The controversy shows that people are passionate, Martin said, but he wants to stop the finger-pointing and start finding solutions.
Martin’s previous political experience includes serving on the Board of Representatives from 1987 to 2009, including a stint as the board’s president from 2001 to 2009, before an unsuccessful mayoral bid in 2009. He was elected to the Board of Finance in 2011.
He becomes the fourth Democrat to seek the nomination, joining state Rep. William Tong, ex-Director of Public Safety, Health, and Wellness William Callion, and city Rep. Eileen Heaphy. Board of Education member Jerry Pia and former Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele are seeking the Republican nomination.
The race has been left wide open after Republican Mayor Michael Pavia decided not to run for a second term. Pavia has served since 2009, when he defeated Martin. Democrat Dannel Malloy did not seek re-election after deciding to run for governor.
Martin, a small business owner, has lived in Stamford for 30 years. He and his wife, Judy, have two daughters, Sarah and Rachel.
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