Democrat John McNamara has been endorsed by Connecticut’s American Federation of Teachers (AFT Connecticut) for a seat on New Britain Common Council in the November 7 Municipal Election.
McNamara is a former Democratic Town Chair and previously was elected Chair of the Board of Assessment Appeal and served as the Building Commission Chair in city government. McNamara is running in Ward 4 in neighborhoods near Central Connecticut State University and extending out to the Brittany Farms and Batterson Park area. This year 15 Common Councilors will be elected from five wards replacing a hybrid Council comprised of five at-large and 10 ward members.
AFT Connecticut, a 30,000-member labor organization, represents teachers, school related personnel including paraprofessionals, state employees, healthcare workers, and higher education faculty and staff in the public and private sector. Teachers and paraprofessionals in the New Britain School District are represented by Local 871, the New Britain Federation of Teachers (NBFT).
McNamara received AFT Connecticut’s support because of his “commitment to working families and advocating for issues that are important to AFT Connecticut’s members.”
“I am grateful to AFT Connecticut for the endorsement,” said McNamara. “New Britain needs advocates on the Common Council to provide every child with a high quality education and to ensure that education gets a fair share of local and state aid. Funding for public education needs to be equitable regardless of zip code.”
McNamara said the endorsement reflects his support for economic development and housing initiatives that deliver benefits and opportunities for all residents. “We need to make New Britain affordable for working families and retirees,” said McNamara. “That means fighting high property taxes and fees caused by revaluation and curbing excessive tax breaks for out of town interests.”
McNamara has also been endorsed by the Service Employees International Union’s CSEA Local 2001, the Black Democratic Committee of New Britain and New Britain’s legislative delegation including Reps. Manny Sanchez (24), Bobby Sanchez (25), Peter Tercyak (26), Gary Turco (27) and State Senator Rick Lopes (6).
A 38-year resident of the neighborhoods he wants to represent on the Common Council, McNamara is married to Patricia (Cacace). The McNamara’s have two grown children, Michael and Cara, and two grandchildren.
New Britain Alderman John McNamara 