Danbury Mayor Roberto Alves for party chair
With her term set to end in January, Nancy DiNardo announced Wednesday that she won’t seek re-election as chair of the Connecticut Democratic Party, according to a release.
The Democratic State Central Committee will meet in January to elect a new chair. Gov. Ned Lamont has endorsed Danbury Mayor Roberto Alves for the job and said he is “the exact type of leader we need at this moment” and that he’ll be a great resource for the party in the years ahead.
DiNardo, who has been one of the longest-serving chairs of the party, said it has been an honor and thanked the governor for the opportunity to serve again for the term ending in January. She was first elected state party chair in 2005 and served 10 years before stepping down. She returned to the job in 2020.
“I have met and worked with extraordinary Democrats across the state, and I hope to continue to do so in the coming years,” DiNardo said in a statement. “Roberto Alves will make a great Chairman, and I wish him the very best.”
Alves was elected mayor of Danbury in 2023 after previously serving as Democratic Town Chair as well as Treasurer of the Connecticut Democratic Party. He thanked DiNardo for her service.
“I’m grateful to Governor Lamont for his continued leadership and trust as we look toward the future of the Connecticut Democratic Party, and I also want to thank Nancy DiNardo for her years of dedicated service,” Alves said in a statement. “Now, we need to focus on what’s next: building a Democratic Party that’s ready to face the challenges of tomorrow, mobilizing voters, activists, and grassroots support in every corner of our state, and working together to get things done for the people of Connecticut.”
“Nancy DiNardo has always looked out for the working middle class, which is why she is the most successful chair of any political party in Connecticut history, leading Connecticut Democrats to victories year after year, including every state constitutional office and every U.S. Congressional office,” Lamont said. “Her steadfast leadership has strengthened our party and has set a solid foundation for forthcoming elections. I am grateful that she is not going far and she will continue to provide Connecticut Democrats with guidance in the years to come.”
Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz thanked DiNardo for generously volunteering “her time and talents to make our state bright blue at the state and federal level,” and wished her well.
Of Alves, Bysiewicz said he “exemplifies the very best of our state’s values,” and highlighted the fact that he immigrated to Connecticut as a child and graduated from Danbury High School before working as a Technical Sales Engineer at Cartus.
“His love of giving back to his community is demonstrated through his numerous volunteer roles, his time on the city council, and his leadership as mayor,” Bysiewicz said. “Last year, Roberto led a team of Democrats that defeated the incumbent Republican mayor and successfully flipped other offices in town. I know Roberto will take his winning strategy to our state party and deploy energy, enthusiasm, and new ideas in future elections.”
It’s not clear whether anyone else will seek the post.