After a reign of 12 years, Mayor Erin Stewart is stepping down, and the title of Mayor is back up for grabs.  

On Nov. 4 the polls will be open, and for New Britain voters they will choose between Republican candidate Sharon Beloin-Saavedra, and the Democratic candidate Bobby Sanchez.  

Both candidates have extensive resumes in Connecticut politics and emphasize their involvement specifically with New Britain. 

Beloin-Saavedra and Sanchez have been residents of New Britain for more than a decade, so their ties go beyond just being elected officials.  

Some of the issues they plan to tackle if they become mayor are ones that are imperative to improving living quality in New Britain.  

If Sanchez is elected, the priorities include lowering taxes, creating affordable housing and allocating more resources to New Britain schools. 

“We have to look at the policies on affordability. People cannot afford the apartments they are living in because taxes are up. We have to cap taxes,” Sanchez said. “Also, the school system. Money has been coming at the state level, but at the city level it’s been flat funded for so many years. We have a lot of catching up to do. I want to see all of our children succeed.” 

The emphasis on schools stems from the idea that New Britain schools are underperforming compared to the rest of the state.  

“Our school system is still at the bottom when it comes to statewide. Out of 169 towns, we’re 168; that’s not good,” he said. “I’ve had conversations with high school students, and they keep on telling me we need a new high school. That’s on my agenda, building a new high school. I’m the type of person who loves change. For the betterment of our community, that’s something that I’d really like to entertain.” 

For Beloin-Saavedra, her main focus, if she’s to become mayor, addresses mitigating the challenges presented by the government shutdown.  

“The first week in office I’d meet with all newly elected officials and all my department heads to talk about the current status of any projects or services going on, what is the impact of government shutdown and/or any cuts coming from the federal or state government,” she said. “Then we would triage based on priority of needs. I am hoping the government shutdown ends soon and that we will advert a major crisis on a local level.” 

She has been getting in touch with the community by meeting them face to face in their homes. 

“Door knocking, door knocking, door knocking, lots of door knocking,” she said. “A good ground game is really important to meeting voters where they’re at. That’s been the backbone of my campaign; that direct voter contact.” 

In the current political climate, being a Republican or a Democrat comes with added connotations that are inherent. 

But for the candidates, they believe bipartisanship will be the key to success if they are elected as mayor. 

“As you know this country is really going through a lot at the moment and it’s the Republican party that’s running things. This big Beautiful Bill that they talk about at the federal level is going to devastate many people in our community,” Sanchez said. “I’m going to go in with a fresh mind, an open mind, whether you’re Republican, Democrat or whatever, we’re going to sit down, were going to talk, we’re going to compromise, we’re going to make thing happen for New Britain.” 

“Once you get elected to the Board of Education, you don’t see Rs or Ds. We’re working for the betterment of the students and the system,” Beloin-Saavedra said. “It was a great training ground to work cross party isles as just individual people, not really working in a party. I’ve had a really good track record of working bipartisan, seeing my mentors work cross party lines was very instructive to me.” 

Beloin-Saavedra and Sanchez were both asked what their expectations were for Election Day, and they shared a similar sentiment. 

“My expectation is to win because I’ve worked so hard.” Beloin-Saavedra said. “I’m a lifelong person here in New Britain, I will be out standing at the polls. But I do not disappear if I don’t win. My expectation is for voters to come out, and for me to respect the will of the people, whichever way the vote comes out. I will always be in New Britain, I will always be a presence in this community and I will always fight for New Britain.” 

“I feel good. I’ve been hearing some really good things at the door. I think people are ready for a change,” Sanchez said. “The democrats who were supporting Mayor Stewart want to see what I can bring to the table. They’ve been listening to my message, and they’ve liked what I’ve been saying. We’ll see, we won’t know until the polls close at 8 p.m.” 

Early voting for New Britain residence will take place until Nov. 2, and to find out more information on where or how to vote, visit www.MyVote.ct.gov, or if you have any questions, you can reach out to [email protected].