The New Haven Independent says it will be official Tuesday: New Haven Mayor John DeStefano will not seek another two-year term as mayor this fall, ending his reign at 20 years.
DeStefano is the dean of the big city mayors, a voice at the State Capitol on a issues ranging from education to tax policy to gun control.
“It’s a loss for all the big cities. He was someone who fully articulated the needs of the urban centers,” said Vin Mauro Jr., the first vice chairman of the Democratic Town Committee, a former alderman and someone not always in the mayor’s good graces.
Mauro also is the top aide to Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney, D-New Haven, who opposed DeStefano in 2001.
During a break in an all-day gun control hearing co-chaired by Looney, Mauro and the Senate majority leader appeared to be spending just a little time talking about New Haven politics.
No immediate word on plans by DeStefano, who was the 2006 Democratic nominee for governor. He is holding a press conference Tuesday.