What is Waterbury Mayor Mike Jarjura up to?
“While the numbers are much bigger, the state’s economic problems aren’t unlike the problems I faced here when I took over the helm,” Jarjura said. “I truly think I have the expertise, the skills and experience to help this state.”
Read Penelope Overton’s story in the Republican-American.
Commenters on that piece helpfully point out that Waterbury had a state appointed oversight board calling the shots for a meaningful piece of that workout period; which fans will recall followed two consecutive criminals who occupied the office (with a brief administrative appearance by – now State Senator & CT05 aspirant – Sam Caligiuri) before Jarjura took office.
True, he managed to survive (as in, he lost the machine vote but won when the A/B’s were counted) a primary challenge in August from (then) Board of Aldermen President J. Paul Vance, Jr., ensuring him a victory in heavily Democratic Waterbury (the hapless Republican Town Committee, without anybody to stand up on their own, and hoping to ride Jarjura’s coattails – in the eventuality that Vance won the primary – to a couple of seats in the Aldermanic chamber, were persuaded to cross-endorse Jarjura).
But really, sir, a bid for Governor?
Surely Jarjura is actually looking for a seat at the table, and hopes to leverage Waterbury’s delegates to the convention to wrangle another position on the ticket or possibly a Commission in a new Administration?
Is it just a matter of time before Eddie Perez, Bill Finch, John DeStefano, and Dick Moccia indicate their interest in moving to Hartford in some capacity?


