With Video: Giuliano Announces Fourth-Term Bid for Top Spot

Mayor Sebastian Giuliano announced his fourth-term re-election bid to a packed Republican Town Committee meeting Thursday.

"I formally announce — big surprise — that I'm seeking another term as mayor of Middletown," he told the more than 100 people gathered. "I asked six years ago and the request is the same today, 'are you with me?'"

While the Democratic nominating convention took place across town, Giuliano alluded to his party's Republican slate, which will be announced Monday, as a true "infusion of new blood." 

To change the Democratic majority on Middletown's Common Council — eight to four — Giuliano said, "I need Republicans."

"Six years ago, I asked the people of Middletown to take a chance on a different form of leadership, one that was based on plain talk, facts and a desire to throw out the petty politics and back-room deal-making that we had, I guess, almost gotten complacent about."

Since he was elected in 2005, Giuliano said, much has changed in the city — for the better.

"Middletown, on the last census, has enjoyed a 10 percent population growth that's the largest in the state of Connecticut."

During national economic turmoil, "the worst since the Great Depression," Giuliano said, "business leaders, civic leaders and everyday citizens, we put Middletown on a path to prosperity and kept it there."

As well, he cited his party's effort to reopen the city's waterfront "by securing our membership in the Mattabassett [Sewer] District," and a thriving downtown.

A host of state and local politicians attended, including State Sen. Len Suzio, R-13th, state Rep. Christie Carpino, R-32nd, State Rep. Themis Klarides, R-114th, Councilpersons Phil Pessina, David Bauer and Deborah Kleckowski and Republican Town Committee Chair Matthew Scarrozzo.

“I didn’t even know the mayor until year ago,” said Suzio. “I said, ‘who is this Republican who can win in such a Democratic stronghold?’”

So he set out to meet Giuliano.

“During my campaign last year, I got to know him and we went campaigning door to door. He was a natural at constituent service and it was one-on-one, face-to-face," Suzio said.

"I was impressed by Seb’s commitment and intensity in service to the community —personally. I saw the way people reacted to him.

Suzio delighted in recounting the story of meeting voters in Middletown.

“One door we knocked on, this little old Italian lady came out, she could hardly speak a word of English. She was coloring her hair — I’ll never forget. Her face was covered … she came out and she stood on the doorstep and she talked to us for 10 minutes. Most people would be hiding behind the door,” he said, but she wanted action, Suzio said.

“She was going on about the road in front of the house and how it had to be paved …  Seb was really patient, he listened very carefully, he texted the Public Works Department and said, ‘we’ve got to get someone over here to patch the road.’”

We love you. Now show us some love! Follow us on Twitter or like us on Facebook.