Column: A Connecticut mayor says goodbye to her office, but not to her beloved city

Election Day is right around the corner, and for the first time in 14 years my name will not appear on the ballot for elected office. The citizens of New Britain will head to the polls on November 4 to elect the next leader of our city, and whoever they choose will be inaugurated  in the coming weeks to officially take their spot as the next Mayor of New Britain. Therefore,  the time has come for my final word—not as your mayor, but as a devoted citizen.

Twelve years ago, when I was first elected mayor at the age of 26, this city was weighed down by skepticism and financial anxiety. Community pride felt fractured. I couldn’t  stand by and watch the city I love struggle, so I stepped forward, carrying a bold vision and a  lot of hope.

I still remember the moment I decided to run for mayor like it was just last week. Standing  alongside my fellow New Britain residents who were protesting the failed leadership, out of touch policy decisions, and governmental distrust, that had become common place from those in City Hall – I knew our city deserved so much more. I knew, I would not be able to look  myself in the mirror unless I at least tried to do what I could to make a positive change for the  community that I loved so much. I knew the road ahead would be hard, to say the least, but I  was hopeful we could change and grow.

What followed was a journey that exceeded my wildest dreams. Together, we did the hard  work. We didn’t just fix spreadsheets; we rebuilt our foundation. We turned anxiety into  opportunity. We stabilized our finances, poured investment into our schools and parks, and  attracted millions in outside belief. That financial turnaround didn’t happen overnight—it was  the result of a clear vision, countless hard but thoughtful decisions, and your willingness to  trust me and my team along the way. This transformation—this feeling that New Britain is  back—belongs entirely to the strength of your spirit.

Now, I like to think that the true legacy of my time as mayor of New Britain over the last twelve  years cannot simply be boiled down to budget line items, ribbon cuttings, or what you happen  to see on social media. I like to think that the true legacy of my administration is defined by  connection, collaboration, and courage.

Between when I first took office in November of 2013 to now, we have accomplished so much  together. We went from a community struggling with mistrust of government and frustration,  to one unified by the common purpose of building the bright future for our City that we all  deserve. We have invested over $500 million in upgrading elementary schools, turned a $30 million municipal fiscal deficit into a $34 million surplus, invested over $50 million in making infrastructure improvements that have allowed us to be able to attract more than $330 million in private investment to our city, and we updated our housing stock so that those of all income  levels have the opportunity to call New Britain home. On top of all this, we’ve actively  supported our local business community and invested nearly $27 million in improving our  parks, which are critical to our quality of life here.

As a city we are so much better off than where we were on Nov. 12, 2013, and I could not  be more proud of our success.

The job of mayor in a city as vibrant and complex as ours requires an all-consuming effort.  Through it all, you saw me at my proudest: getting married, starting a family, finishing  graduate school. Your trust wasn’t just in my policy; it was a belief in my character. To my friends, my family, and to every resident who partnered in this vision—thank you is not a  strong enough word for carrying me through all the highs and lows.

As I leave office, my heart is full because I know we achieved our shared goal: making New  Britain a better, stronger place to call home. We have become a model for the state; a  community defined by proof of its potential, instead of a community defined by the ignorance  of defeatists. We proved that a government can be fiscally sound while simultaneously  providing a helping hand up to those that are struggling. We invested in our future without  dismissing the vulnerable in our community.

I am a New Britain girl, through and through, and while my title changes soon, my devotion does not. I will continue to live and raise my family right here. So I ask you stay vigilant. Hold our city’s leadership to the highest standard, because that is what we have earned, and that is what we deserve.

Public service is a team sport. It requires showing up, voting in local elections, and holding  your leaders accountable. It requires believing, fundamentally, that the best is still possible for  our community. While what the future holds for me rremains unknown, I look forward to what’s next with hope and excitement.

Serving as your mayor has been the honor of my lifetime. Thank you, New Britain.

Erin Stewart is the six-term mayor of New Britain. This is her message to city residents. She is exploring a run for governor.