It's Official: Garfunkel Will Run for Mayor

Sounding his campaign cry of “We can do better,” Democrat Andy Garfunkel announced his candidacy for mayor of Norwalk Saturday morning. Norwalk’s Town Clerk for the past eight years, Garfunkel will face three-term incumbent Republican Richard Moccia in November’s municipal election.

“We all know how hard it is to unseat an incumbent,” said State Sen. Bob Duff during introductory remarks at the Hilton Garden hotel Saturday morning. “We’ll need the work of everyone in this room, and a lot more people.”

Garfunkel followed with a rousing speech that drew repeated bursts of applause from the crowd of some 50 supporters. His announcement had been postponed from Tuesday in respect for the combat death of Norwalk native David Fahey.

“The promise of good government must begin and end with the people we serve,” Garfunkel began. “We need leaders who put the needs of those people first. We can do better.

“We can have better schools, cleaner parks, smoother roads,” he continued. “I’m tired of hearing people trash-talk Norwalk. We are hard-working people, diverse, but willing to come together under the right leadership.

“I’m not here to point fingers,” he said in conclusion. “I’m here to point Norwalk in a new direction. I see a bright future for our city. Let us look back at today as a defining moment where we turned the  corner and demanded that we can do better.”

“I think Andy gives us a really good chance to win,” said Democratic Councilman Nora King. “What makes him different is that he knows he’s not an expert in everything, but he’ll go out and get the people who know how to do what he doesn’t.”

Garfunkel said the big issues for the city’s residents are “quality of life and curb appeal. Education, safety, building the tax base — they’re all important.

“I plan on taking the campaign to the streets, to talk to people,” he said. “I’m not afraid to ask questions, or take criticism. I don’t see this as politics, I see it as getting things done.”

What is your reaction to Andy Garfunkel's announcement? Do you think he would make a good mayor? Please leave a comment below.

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