by Laura Glesby The New Haven independent
Moments after Leland Moore received the endorsement of the Morris Cove Democratic Ward Committee for his bid to become Ward 18’s next alder, he introduced himself to Zelema Harris.
They shook hands, laughed a little, and exchanged numbers. It was almost hard to tell that they were running against each other.
Moore, an assistant state attorney general, and Harris, an accountant and pension analyst, are both running as Democrats to serve as the next alder of Morris Cove’s Ward 18.
They’ll compete in the Democratic primary on Sept. 9. (Republican Anthony Acri is also running for the seat in the Nov. 4 general election.)
The neighborhood’s incumbent Democratic alder, Sal DeCola, has not filed to run again.
Moore and Harris appeared at Ward 18’s Democratic Ward Committee endorsement meeting on Thursday evening at the Nathan Hale School auditorium — a meeting at which 28 neighborhood representatives of the Democratic Party voted 26 to 2 to endorse Moore.
The two ward committee chairs will soon make their endorsement official at the Democratic Town Committee Convention on July 29.
An endorsement from the committee means that Moore will be guaranteed a place on the primary election ballot. Meanwhile, according to the Registrar of Voters’ office, Harris must acquire signatures from 5 percent of registered Democrats in the ward, about 75 people. Harris said that she is definitely planning to petition onto the primary ballot.
While the most recent Morris Cove alder race in 2023 had turned acrimonious at times, Thursday’s meeting was marked by a spirit of friendliness.
In fact, the ward committee’s chairs, Rose Chatterton and Chris Avallone, were the ones to nominate and second Harris at the meeting — even though Harris had run against them for ward chair last year.
Chatterton said she nominated Harris, a necessary step for her to have a chance to speak before the group and be considered for the endorsement, “in the interest of having all voices heard.”
“You ran to be co-chair and that tells me how much you care about our community,” she said.
In her speech, Harris spoke of her love for the neighborhood, her experience as a parent and substitute teacher, and the perspective she’s gained from living in neighborhoods across the city.
“My first two days in my [Ward 18] home, I felt welcome. I felt like, wow, this is something I haven’t felt in a very long time,” she said. “And I want to continue to make sure that anybody who comes to Ward 18 continues to feel welcome.”
Harris also proposed community meetings within the ward. While there is a management team for the broader East Shore, she said, “in Ward 18 itself, I haven’t seen anybody have meetings and talk to the community itself” to hear “what you need, what you want.”
After a call for nominations from the ward’s co-chairs, members Sam Hays and Derek Miller nominated Moore.
“He is at once a progressive voice and someone willing to represent all,” said Hays.
“My top priorities will be working to keep the Cove a safe, welcoming place for everyone, including those folks who were not born in this country, our queer neighbors, and our Black and Brown neighbors,” he said. “We live in troubling times and I promise to have my neighbors’ backs when it comes to my work in City Hall.”
“I plan to advocate to ensure the airport respects this community and our environment,” Moore said, in reference to Tweed New Haven Airport, which sits partially in Ward 18 and partially in East Haven. He also promised to promote affordable housing, advocate for parks preservation and climate resilience, and “ensure that local employers hire from our communities.”
After both candidates had an opportunity to speak, the committee members cast paper ballots in support of one candidate or the other, which Chatterton and Avallone counted within about five minutes.
The results were decisive, with Moore winning 26 to 2.
Oakleigh Folkes was one committee member who came into the meeting planning to vote for Moore. While she said she was interested in hearing from Harris, she noted that Moore had knocked on her door to speak to her about her concerns. “I appreciate him coming to introduce himself,” she said. “I appreciate feeling like I’m heard.”
Both candidates said that after meeting one another on Thursday, they believe they share similar values.
“I think we stand for the same thing,” but may take different approaches to the role of alder, Harris said.
“I think her speech was great,” said Moore. He expressed that while he believes in passionate advocacy when needed, he wants to maintain a culture of respect throughout the race. “That’s my hope: I want to bring people together.”
Videos recorded by Alina Rose Chen.
Harris and Moore connect after the meeting.
Oakleigh Folkes.