Michael Jarjura
Encyclopedia
Michael Jarjura is the Mayor
of Waterbury, Connecticut
.
He was first elected in 2001 and reelected in 2003. In 2005, he was elected to a third term as a write-in candidate after losing the Democratic
primary. He was re-elected in 2007 and 2009 as the Democratic party nominee.
Prior to his election as Mayor, Jarjura served in the Connecticut House of Representatives
representing the 74th District in the city's east end. He was employed by the Connecticut Attorney General
's office prior to entering elective politics.
Jarjura, long considered a conservative
Democrat, shed that party label and joined the Republican party in 2011. In 2006 he endorsed the independent senate campaign of Joe Lieberman
. In 2008 he announced he would hire former Governor John G. Rowland
, who had served prison time on a corruption charge, as an economic development advisor. In September 2009 Jarjura spoke at a Tea Party movement
rally in Waterbury, saying, "We needed a spark, and you're the spark that is going to be the change. So don't give up. Don't get discouraged because this country is worth fighting for and you're fighting for it."
Jarjura is a cultural conservative who opposes abortion rights. He is a member of the Legislative Advisory Council of the Family Institute of Connecticut
, an organization known for its vocal opposition to same-sex marriage
.
In May 2010, Jarjura, who first explored a run for governor and lieutenant governor, announced he would seek the post of state comptroller being vacated by incumbent Nancy Wyman
. His opponent, Kevin Lembo, won the endorsement of the Democratic State Convention later that month.
In July 2010, Jarjura challenged his opponent's request for public funding in a complaint with the Connecticut State Election Enforcement Commission. The commission found no wrongdoing and approved the public grant.
Later in July, Jarjura filed a lawsuit against the State Election Enforcement Commission for approving his primary opponent for public campaign financing. On July 27, Hartford Superior Court Judge James T. Graham denied Jarjura’s request for an injunction
against the state and his opponent.
In the state Democratic primary, held on August 10, 2010, Jarjura was defeated by Lembo.
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Waterbury, Connecticut
Waterbury, Connecticut
Waterbury is a city in New Haven County, Connecticut, on the Naugatuck River, 33 miles southwest of Hartford and 77 miles northeast of New York City...
.
He was first elected in 2001 and reelected in 2003. In 2005, he was elected to a third term as a write-in candidate after losing the Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
primary. He was re-elected in 2007 and 2009 as the Democratic party nominee.
Prior to his election as Mayor, Jarjura served in the Connecticut House of Representatives
Connecticut House of Representatives
The Connecticut House of Representatives is the lower house in the Connecticut General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The house is composed of 151 members representing an equal number of districts, with each constituency containing nearly 22,600 residents...
representing the 74th District in the city's east end. He was employed by the Connecticut Attorney General
Attorney General
In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general, or attorney-general, is the main legal advisor to the government, and in some jurisdictions he or she may also have executive responsibility for law enforcement or responsibility for public prosecutions.The term is used to refer to any person...
's office prior to entering elective politics.
Jarjura, long considered a conservative
Conservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
Democrat, shed that party label and joined the Republican party in 2011. In 2006 he endorsed the independent senate campaign of Joe Lieberman
Joe Lieberman
Joseph Isadore "Joe" Lieberman is the senior United States Senator from Connecticut. A former member of the Democratic Party, he was the party's nominee for Vice President in the 2000 election. Currently an independent, he remains closely affiliated with the party.Born in Stamford, Connecticut,...
. In 2008 he announced he would hire former Governor John G. Rowland
John G. Rowland
John Grosvenor Rowland was the 86th Governor of Connecticut from 1995 to 2004; he is a member of the Republican Party. He is married to Patty Rowland, his second wife, and the couple have five children between them...
, who had served prison time on a corruption charge, as an economic development advisor. In September 2009 Jarjura spoke at a Tea Party movement
Tea Party movement
The Tea Party movement is an American populist political movement that is generally recognized as conservative and libertarian, and has sponsored protests and supported political candidates since 2009...
rally in Waterbury, saying, "We needed a spark, and you're the spark that is going to be the change. So don't give up. Don't get discouraged because this country is worth fighting for and you're fighting for it."
Jarjura is a cultural conservative who opposes abortion rights. He is a member of the Legislative Advisory Council of the Family Institute of Connecticut
Family Institute of Connecticut
The Family Institute of Connecticut is an interdenominational, conservative 501 non-profit educational organization founded in 1989. Its stated goal is to encourage and strengthen the family as the foundation of society and to promote Judeo-Christian ethical and moral values in the culture and...
, an organization known for its vocal opposition to same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage is marriage between two persons of the same biological sex or social gender. Supporters of legal recognition for same-sex marriage typically refer to such recognition as marriage equality....
.
In May 2010, Jarjura, who first explored a run for governor and lieutenant governor, announced he would seek the post of state comptroller being vacated by incumbent Nancy Wyman
Nancy Wyman
Nancy S. Wyman is the 108thThe State of Connecticut recognizes Nancy Wyman as the 108th Lieutenant Governor, using a standard that had counted Colonial period lieutenants as well as counting lieutenants who had served multiple times as only one individual figure. Wyman is considered the 88th...
. His opponent, Kevin Lembo, won the endorsement of the Democratic State Convention later that month.
In July 2010, Jarjura challenged his opponent's request for public funding in a complaint with the Connecticut State Election Enforcement Commission. The commission found no wrongdoing and approved the public grant.
Later in July, Jarjura filed a lawsuit against the State Election Enforcement Commission for approving his primary opponent for public campaign financing. On July 27, Hartford Superior Court Judge James T. Graham denied Jarjura’s request for an injunction
Injunction
An injunction is an equitable remedy in the form of a court order that requires a party to do or refrain from doing certain acts. A party that fails to comply with an injunction faces criminal or civil penalties and may have to pay damages or accept sanctions...
against the state and his opponent.
In the state Democratic primary, held on August 10, 2010, Jarjura was defeated by Lembo.
External links
- About Mayor Michael J. Jarjura Biography, courtesy of official Waterbury website.
- Waterbury Mayor, a Write-In Candidate, Wins His Re-election Bid
- Independent Lieberman says he can be now be himself
- Family Institute of Connecticut