By Kim-Marie Mullin
Special to the Voice
West Haven Fair Rent Commission Chairman Steven R. Mullins has accepted the nomination of the West Haven Independent Party to run for City Councilor-At-Large in the upcoming November general election.
“Out of all of the candidates running for City Council, district or at-large, Mullins is the only one that has put the work in.” said Independent Party Chairman Shawn Brown during his nomination speech at last week’s Independent Party nominating convention. “Mullins has a litany of causes that he champions as an advocate for all West Haveners. He doesn’t just come around every two years at election time, asking for votes.”
Mullins, the 2009 and 2011 Republican nominee for mayor was a longtime member of the West Haven Republican Town Committee. A year ago, he changed his affiliation to unaffiliated when the RTC chose not to re-elect him Justice of the Peace, a position that he held since 1999.
Town and City Clerk John Lewis appointed Mullins as Justice of the Peace in the unaffiliated category earlier this year.
Mullins is the Independent Party’s only candidate for office this year.
“It has been my life’s journey and goal to help those in need, rich or poor, black, white or brown, Democrat, Republican, Independent or unaffiliated.” he said.
Sighting support for many of the achievements of the Administration of Mayor Dorinda A. Borer, Mullins says that he will work hard with the Mayor to accomplish common goals and will not hesitate to express disagreement whenever he finds it necessary. “It is imperative that we put partisan political differences to the side and work for the betterment of all Westie.” Mullins said.
Prior to serving as Fair Rent Commissioner, Mullin served as Planning and Zoning Commissioner for 16 years, many of those as chairman or vice-chairman.
Mullins has appointed Republican Town Committee member and former Republican State Central Committee member Kim-Marie Mullin as his campaign manager and Republican Town Committee member Laurie Reynolds as his campaign treasurer.
Former Republican Mayoral nominee Paige Weinstein, who ran against Mullins in the 2023 Republican primary is also supporting Mullins for Council-at-Large.
“Two years ago, Steven Mullins and I stood on opposite sides of the mayoral race. Since then, I’ve come to admire his unwavering dedication to West Haven,” Weinstein said. “The West Haven City Council needs steady, experienced leadership, and Steven Mullins is exactly that. I fully support his candidacy for Council at-large.”