New Haven – On Saturday, Lindsey Eichler Tengtenga, a Democratic candidate for the vacant Edgewood alder seat in Ward 24, knocked on doors throughout the ward, meeting longtime residents and local business owners. Wearing a “Libraries are for Everyone” shirt, she highlighted her commitment to cleaner streets, safer housing, and stronger neighborhood connections as the special election approaches.
Neighborhood concerns drive the campaign
Stanley Street resident Jonathan Engbith, a 40‑year veteran of the block watch, told Tengtenga he wants a cleaner neighborhood. Engbith said he and his neighbors have already begun a street‑cleaning initiative but hope the effort expands beyond Stanley Street. “Your problems are my problems,” he told the candidate, noting that litter and neglected sidewalks have long been a frustration for residents.
Edgewood Park, Engbith suggested, could serve as a starting point for broader clean‑up projects. Tengtenga agreed, saying she will work with volunteers to organize regular park and street clean‑ups, ensuring that residents have a safe, welcoming environment for families and children.
Housing safety and landlord accountability
During a stop at Tommy Deli on Chapel Street, Tengtenga spoke with local business owners and residents about housing concerns. Luz Mercado, a state notary public and interpreter who recently moved to Ward 24, voiced worries about negligent landlords and rising rent prices. She recounted an incident where tenants were forced to relocate to a hotel after an unaddressed gas leak made their apartment unsafe.
“Safety is always a concern,” Mercado said. “Even if crime did not exist, we still got to keep each other safe.” While Mercado voted for Tengtenga’s opponent, Randall Furlow, during early voting, she expressed that meeting the candidate earlier could have helped her understand her options.
Delaney Larmor, a 27‑year‑old project engineer who moved to New Haven last month, echoed similar frustrations. “When I was looking for apartments, it was so crazy, the requirements,” Larmor said. “It made it so hard to find an apartment, I’ve never had such trouble.” Tengtenga promised to push for stronger enforcement of the Livable City Initiative and to hold landlords accountable for unsafe conditions.
Community engagement and volunteer support
Tengtenga’s canvassing crew included Wildaliz Bermúdez, newly elected to represent the east‑side 97th State House District, and Julia Miller, Connecticut’s 2025 Teacher of the Year. Miller praised Tengtenga as an “advocate” who will listen to families, teachers, and young people, and invest in public schools.
Stephanie FitzGerald, a 40‑year resident of Ward 24, said she supports Tengtenga because neighbors “don’t know each other as well as they could.” The candidate emphasized that she lives in the ward, raised her children there, and will work to ensure residents know who their alder and City Hall representatives are.
Election logistics and voter outreach
Tengtenga noted that the recent Tuesday primary saw 691 voters, up from 495 the previous year, indicating growing civic participation. Her campaign is offering rides to the firehouse at 120 Ellsworth Avenue, the designated polling place, to make voting more accessible.
“Anything that I can do to let people know that their voices matter, that they have a real neighbor who cares about the same issues and is going to fight for them, is the approach behind our campaign strategy,” Tengtenga said.
Looking ahead
With the special election scheduled for Tuesday, Tengtenga plans to continue door‑to‑door outreach, phone calls, and community events. She encourages residents to stop by her campaign office, meet her 12‑year‑old daughter Sekai, and share their concerns. Engbith, who has not heard from an alder in years, said he will vote for Tengtenga, confident that she shares his priorities for a cleaner, safer Ward 24.
Original reporting: New Haven Independent — read the source article.
