Arunan Arulampalam (born September 15, 1985) is an American politician who is the mayor of Hartford, Connecticut. A member of the Democratic Party, Arulampalam won the November 2023 election for mayor and was sworn in on January 1, 2024.
Early life and career
Arulampalam is from a Jaffna Tamil family. His parents fled Sri Lanka in July 1983, at the start of the Sri Lankan Civil War.[1][2] They moved to England, where they married, and settled in Zimbabwe. Arunan was born in Bulawayo in 1985.[1][3] The family relocated to California. Arulampalam earned his bachelor's degree from Emory University and earned his Juris Doctor degree from Quinnipiac University School of Law.[3]
In 2014, Arulampalam joined the law firm Updike, Kelly & Spellacy[4] and was an associate with the firm for five years.[3] Governor Ned Lamont appointed Arulampalam to be a deputy commissioner in the Department of Consumer Protection. In July 2021, he became the chief executive officer of the Hartford Land Bank, a non-profit aiming to reduce urban blight.[3][5]
Political career
In October 2017, Arulampalam announced that he was exploring a run for Connecticut State Treasurer, as long as the incumbent, Denise Nappier, opted not to run for reelection.[6] He received enough support at the Connecticut Democratic Party convention to qualify for the primary election ballot, but ended his campaign in May 2018, citing his desire to avoid a divisive campaign.[7][8]
In January 2023, Arulampalam announced his candidacy in the November election for mayor of Hartford.[9] He won the party's endorsement at their nominating convention.[10] Arulampalam defeated state senator John Fonfara and former state senator Eric Coleman in the Democratic Party primary election in September,[11] receiving 39.6% of the vote.[12] He won the November general election with 69% of the vote[13] and was sworn into office on January 1, 2024.[14]
Personal life
Arulampalam and his wife, Liza, have five children and live in a formerly blighted house in Hartford's Frog Hollow.[15][16] He is a naturalized U.S. citizen.[17]
References
- ^ a b Golvala, Yehyun Kim, Katy (September 18, 2023). "A Diaspora in Focus: Profiles of CT residents with South Asia roots". CT Mirror.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Stuart, Christine (October 31, 2017). "State Treasurer Candidates Tout Newcomer Status". CT News Junkie. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Arunan Arulampalam: From Zimbabwe to Hartford Dems' endorsed mayoral candidate". Hartford Courant. August 29, 2023. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
- ^ "Hartford Land Bank CEO Arulampalam wants to restore city's eyesore properties, boost homeownership". Hartford Business Journal. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
- ^ "Arunan Arulampalam announces run for Hartford mayor". CT Insider. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
- ^ "Arunan Arulampalam Exploring Run for State Treasurer". Hartford Courant. October 25, 2017. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
- ^ "Candidate Quits Treasurer's Race With Pointed Message On Diversity For Fellow Democrats". Hartford Courant. May 29, 2018. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
- ^ "Arulampalam ends treasurer bid to work on diversity in Democratic party".
- ^ "Hartford Land Bank's Arunan Arulampalam announces his bid for mayor". Hartford Courant. January 6, 2023. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
- ^ Underwood, Stephen (August 17, 2023). "Three-way primary set for Hartford mayor race: Fonfara and Coleman qualify, Lebron out of primary contest". Hartford Courant. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
- ^ "Arunan Arulampalam defeats two challengers in Hartford mayoral primary". CT Insider. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
- ^ "How Arunan Arulampalam won in Hartford's mayoral primary".
- ^ "Arunan Arulampalam scores big victory in Hartford mayoral race".
- ^ Caffrey • •, Jane (January 2, 2024). "Newly sworn in Hartford mayor prepares to tackle long list of interconnected issues".
- ^ "How mayoral candidate Arunan Arulampalam found "home" in Hartford". CT Insider. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
- ^ "Arulampalam says homeownership, small business support, downtown amenities, and faster permitting could jump-start Hartford's growth". Hartford Business Journal.
- ^ Staff Writer (July 13, 2023). "Sri Lankan American Arunan Arulampalam Takes Wide Lead in Campaign Donations in Hartford's Mayoral Race".