On Sunday, the Edgewood Democratic Ward 24 Committee met at the police substation on Whalley Avenue and voted 6‑1 to endorse Randall Furlow, a pastor and longtime ward co‑chair, for the vacant alder seat. The endorsement guarantees Furlow a spot on the Nov. 10 special election ballot.
Candidate field and election timeline
The race began when 15‑year incumbent Alderman Evette Hamilton stepped down last week. Fellow Democrats Lindsey Tengatenga (also known as Lindsey Eichler) and Jennifer Tillman are also seeking the seat. State election officials have set Monday as the final deadline for parties to nominate a candidate, prompting the committee’s swift endorsement vote.
Because the endorsement does not automatically place a candidate on the ballot, Tengatenga and Tillman must still collect signatures from six registered Ward 24 voters by 4 p.m. on Monday to qualify.
Committee process
The meeting, run by co‑chair Mareika Phillips, featured brief pitches from each candidate before roughly two dozen attendees. Only eight members were eligible to vote, as the committee’s roster covers the 2024‑2025 term and a new list has not yet been filed for 2026‑27. Phillips said she avoided filing a new list to prevent any appearance of “stacking” the committee.
In the vote, Furlow received six votes, Tengatenga one, and one member abstained. When asked if he was the abstaining voter, Furlow declined to answer.
Furlow’s platform and personal story
Furlow told the room he is not new to New Haven politics, noting his twelve‑year service as a Ward 24 co‑chair and his relationships with current Board of Alders members. He pledged to answer calls, return messages, work with city department heads, and advocate for Edgewood with integrity.
He also addressed personal tragedy, describing a period he called a “very dark cave” after losing his mother, two cousins, and two close friends. He said he chose to live and now wants his life defined by what comes next.
Other candidates’ priorities
Tengatenga highlighted her twelve‑year residency, a family background of military service and public‑education work, and her nonprofit focused on racial equity. She emphasized affordable healthy food, stronger civic participation, safer streets, support for immigrant families, youth empowerment, and economic opportunity.
Tillman, a lifelong Ward 24 resident, realtor, social worker, and active member of Varick Church, stressed the loss of local amenities such as a pharmacy and bank. She called for useful businesses, improved trash pickup, increased police presence, and accountability for absentee landlords, framing her vision as restoring, revitalizing, and reinvesting in the neighborhood.
Community response
Local bookstore owner Lauren Anderson raised concerns about the endorsement process, noting the committee had not met in over a year and that Furlow had already circulated an email claiming support from Phillips, former Alderman Hamilton, and other leaders. Hamilton later clarified she had not formally endorsed any candidate, prompting Furlow to issue a retraction.
Florita Gillespie, chair of the Dwight Community Management Team, reminded attendees that ultimately “the people will decide” at the ballot box.
Next steps
Regardless of the endorsement outcome, all three candidates will appear on the Nov. 10 ballot. The Ward 24 Democratic Ward Committee also plans a candidate forum in the coming weeks, with details to be announced.
The winner will serve the remainder of Hamilton’s two‑year term, which ends in 2027.
Original reporting: New Haven Independent — read the source article.
