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07/18/2019 12:00 AMTown councilman and former professional wrestler Steven “Big Steve” Tracey took home the party endorsement without voiced opposition at the Republican Town Committee (RTC) convention on July 16. Though Mayor Joseph Maturo, Jr. (R) has stated that he would not seek the Republican endorsement, Tracey will likely face another challenger, Sal Maltese, in a primary.
“To say I am honored today to accept your nomination to be East Haven’s next mayor is an understatement,” Tracey said of the unanimous nomination at caucus. “In fact, I am overwhelmed by your support and I humbly accept your nomination.
“Now is a time in our town for caring for one another. It is a time to be bold and a time for fresh ideas, a time to move our community forward,” Tracey said.
Sal Maltese, who has previously run for mayor as an Independent candidate for mayor in 2015 and as a Democrat in 2017, announced his intention to run for the Republican endorsement in April. Maltese said he did not expect a nod from the convention but will go on with a primary.
“I need to win it out on the streets,” Maltese said. “I want to get my voice out there to the public.”
Maltese said that he had filed the proper paperwork prior to the RTC convention and will pursue the nomination from a primary vote that would take place in September. To ensure the primary, Maltese will need at least 175 signatures from Republican voters by Wednesday, Aug. 7.
Maturo was also notably absent from the convention. He announced his decision not to seek the Republican endorsement in a letter to the RTC on June 24.
“This is only the…second time since 1991 that Joe Maturo’s name will not be on the ballot in any capacity,” said State Representative Joe Zullo (R-99) at the convention. “[Tracey has] got big shoes to fill, everybody knows that, but [he’s] Big Steve.”
Senator Len Fasano (R-34) was also on hand to congratulate Tracey.
“Joe Maturo [brought the town out] from the depths of being a distressed municipality, because that’s the list we were on for many years, and bring the town in many regards respect,” he said. “Now it’s time to hand the baton to Big Steve.”
Should the primary go forward, Maltese or Tracey will face off against Democratic candidate Joe Carfora, a town councilman for District 3. Maturo’s letter also left open the possibility of a third party run.