by Thomas Breen
Outside Mauro Sheridan’s polling place at 191 Fountain St. The ballot tabulator had broken earlier in the morning, but a new one had arrived and was working well by the time this reporter arrived.
Carrie Johnson was one of 75 west-side voters to cast a ballot at Westville’s Mauro Sheridan School as of 10:15 Tuesday morning as New Haveners from across the city hit the polls on primary day.
“I vote all the time. People died for us to vote,” Johnson said, wearing an “I Voted” sticker and standing alongside fellow voter Betty Estelle.
Why vote in this particular Democratic primary for governor and 92nd District state rep? What motivated her to head out to the polls on Tuesday?
“Get rid of Trump,” Johnson replied. “Get rid of Trump.”
Johnson wasn’t the only Mauro Sheridan voter on Tuesday who had the president on the mind as she cast a ballot in a mid-term primary in which Donald Trump is not running.
“I hope they make a change,” said another voter, who declined to share her name or be photographed for this article, as she walked down Emerson Street on her way to go vote.
How so? “Trump needs to be out of office,” she said. “Period.” She said the president is “ripping off” the country while enriching himself.
Who did she plan on voting for in the three-way Democratic primary for the 92nd State House District — incumbent State Rep. Pat Dillon or one of her two challengers, Eli Sabin or Justin Farmer?
“I haven’t decided yet,” the voter said. She paused, then continued, “We need another new person.”
Johnson also declined to say who she had voted for for state rep, saying instead that “we will see” who wins the hotly contested primary.
Meanwhile, Whalley Avenue resident H. David Hogan left Mauro Sheridan with a clear answer as to who he supported. “Eli Sabin,” Hogan said. “I think he may be a good representative.”
Carrie Johnson and Betty Estelle. H. David Hogan voted for Eli Sabin. “I think he may be a good representative.”
Board of Education member Andrea Downer and Ward 27 Democratic co-chair Judy Sparer. “I don’t forget about the things she has done,” Downer said about why she’s supporting incumbent State Rep. Pat Dillon. “She’s brought money for education.” She’s helped “revitalize” the Whalley Avenue corridor. “She cares, and she has done the work.”
Eli Sabin supporters Emma Cantu and a volunteer who declined to share her name. The anonymous volunteer she she is supporting Sabin because the district is “ready for new ideas, new leadership,” and that Sabin is someone who will “stand up to Trump.”