Michael Smart, left, joins fellow delegates in cheering for Paolillo. State Sen. Gary Winfield and State Rep. Al Paolillo, Jr. on Monday handily secured the Democratic Party’s nominations to represent west- and east-side state Senate districts, respectively — after back-to-back conventions w here the two veteran New Haven pols ran uncontested. Winfield is seeking a seventh two-term representing New Haven’s west side and a portion of West Haven in the state legislature. Paolillo is running to fill the eastern New Haven-Hamden Senate seat to be vacated by Martin Looney, who announced this month he will not run for reelection after a 46-year career in public service. The New Haven Democratic Town Committee (DTC) held those Senate conventions at the Betsy Ross Parish House at 150 Kimberly Ave. on Monday. Delegates who live in the relevant Senate districts were invited to cast their votes for the party’s endorsements. Both Winfield and Paolillo were the only nominees put up by their fellow Democrats for their respective positions. No Republicans have yet filed to run for these Senate seats. Forty-nine delegates from Senate District 10, Winfield’s district, and their proxies were in attendance for Monday’s vote. Afterwards, 42 delegates from Senate District 11 were present to support Paolillo. Winfield, who serves as co-chair of the Judiciary Committee, was nominated by West Haven’s Christopher Suggs, a committee member for Senate District 10. His nomination was seconded by New Haven’s Claudine Wilkins-Chambers. Suggs pointed to Winfield’s work this legislative session passing House Bill 5567, a bill that aims to improve medical and mental healthcare in state prisons. The bill had strong bipartisan support and passed in the House with just two votes against the bill and in the Senate with unanimous support. The bill now heads to Gov. Ned Lamont’s office for signing. “He is a constant voice fighting for justice,” Suggs said of Winfield — whether what he’s saying is popular or not. “We have work to do, people, and we’re going to do it,” Winfield said as he accepted the endorsement. Winfield spoke of the importance of having residents of both New Haven and West Haven remain in constant contact with him, so he can continue to effectively represent both municipalities. Winfield is also seeking to serve as state Senate majority leader, as current Majority Leader Bob Duff is expected to replace Looney as Senate president. Delegate Claudine Wilkins-Chambers nominates Winfield for party endorsement in his reelection campaign. After the Senate District 10 endorsement process, which concluded within 15 minutes, the Parish House began to fill again with delegates from the city’s other Senate district, the 11th. Just as Winfield was nominated by a resident of West Haven, Paolillo was nominated by Hamden State Rep. Laurie Sweet, who spoke of how the two had bonded over their experience in local government and that he listens closely to her and provides “sage advice” when she needs it. “He’s steady, calm, and focused,” Sweet said. “Al deeply understands that politics is all relational.” Paolillo’s nomination was seconded by New Haven State Rep. Roland Lemar; by Fair Haven stalwart Rafael Ramos, who spoke of Paolillo’s service on the Board of Alders; and by City Clerk Michael Smart. There were no other nominations, securing Paolillo the endorsement. After receiving a standing ovation himself, Looney introduced Paolillo: “He’s a model for what a legislature should be,” he said of Paolillo. “Al delves into every issue. When he makes a decision, it’s an informed opinion.” “Some people are cynical about politicians and public service,” Looney said. “Those are people who never met Al Paolillo.” In his acceptance speech, Paolillo spoke of how he would represent Hamden as effectively as New Haven, alongside its newly elected Mayor Adam Sendroff and members of its state delegation. As for New Haven, he said, “There’s no greater honor than to serve in the city that raised you, that educated you, that continues to support you.” Paolillo concluded his remarks with words about Jerome, a man he met 15 years ago while serving as alder. Jerome’s granddaughter had the same form of bone cancer Paolillo’s nephew had passed away from. Paolillo asked Jerome to keep him involved, and the two saw each other almost weekly. Jerome, whom Paolillo said passed away five weeks ago, was preoccupied in his final days with how he would leave his house to the children he had raised though wasn’t biologically related to — and how they would keep it. Paolillo said that Jerome had made him think of all the problems that constituents face everyday. “He’s what drives the work that we do on a daily basis,” he said. “For a city kid to be in the state legislature … we do the work together.” New Haven DTC Chair Vinnie Mauro, who ran Monday’s meeting. Martin Looney, introducing who is likely to be his successor. The post Paolillo, Winfield Win Dem Nominations appeared first on New Haven Independent. ...read more read less