Democratic Danbury Mayor Roberto Alves, eyeing second term, nets nearly $79,000 in early fundraising

4 weeks ago
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DANBURY — With the Nov. 4 municipal election 10 months away, at least one likely contender for citywide office has formed a candidate committee and jumped out to an early fundraising lead: incumbent Democratic Mayor Roberto Alves.

Alves’ campaign announced on Jan. 9 that he formed a new candidate committee and raised $78,787 in six weeks’ time. He will formally announce his bid for for a second term as mayor of Danbury at a campaign kickoff event Friday, Feb. 7, at Charter Oak Brewing.

According to a campaign finance report filed the same day as Alves’ announcement, the campaign haul came from 119 individual donors, with 56 of them making individual contributions of $1,000.

“Our city’s future is bright, and we’ve already begun building a stronger foundation – one that prioritizes public safety, infrastructure and creating opportunities for every resident. I’m excited to continue this work, and to keep delivering for Danbury,” Alves said.

Francesca Capodilupo, who managed Alves’ campaign for mayor in 2023, will reprise that role for the 2025 election. Capodilupo also served as Alves’ government affairs and communications adviser until December, when she left that position to become the chief philanthropy officer for Person to Person, a Darien-based nonprofit organization.

Alves was elected to his first term in November 2023, defeating then-Mayor Dean Esposito, a Republican, in a close vote, 7,366 to 7,094, according to official results reported by the Secretary of the State. The election was a rematch of the 2021 contest, in which Esposito prevailed.

“Under Mayor Alves, we’ve seen a refreshing commitment to transparency, accountability, smart, strategic investments in our schools and city departments, and tackling years and patterns of neglect head-on. I’m proud Mayor Alves will be running for reelection to continue this new tradition of leadership that puts our community first,” Danbury Democratic Town Committee Chair Larry Riefberg said in a statement.

City GOP Chair Michael Coelho disagreed, saying he has spoken with a number of voters who are unhappy with the city’s direction under the Alves’ administration.

Coelho also criticized Alves’ likely election as chairman of the Connecticut Democratic Party, saying he doesn’t believe the mayor will be about to devote enough time to both roles, “especially when it comes to fundraising (for the state Democratic Party) and his full-time responsibilities as mayor.”

“This appointment will bring the same brand of common-sense politics and commitment to unity that we brought to Danbury to the state level. With his leadership, we will continue to elevate Danbury’s presence and strengthen our party’s efforts across Connecticut,” Riefberg said previously.…Read more by Staff Writer, Michael Gagne

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