Lindsey Tengatenga, a 41‑year‑old Edgewood resident of 12 years, stepped onto Whalley Avenue this week to announce her intention to run in the special election to fill the Ward 24 alderman seat vacated by Evette Hamilton. Hamilton, who has served since 2011, will step down at the end of September, leaving a little over a year on her term.
Community‑focused campaign launch
While walking past a vacant Walgreens, Tengtenga asked nearby business owners what they need to thrive. She told the New Haven Independent outside the Laundromax that her first question is always, “Where are the needs? How can I help?” The former executive director of Five Frogs, a statewide racial‑equity organization, framed her run as a service‑first effort.
Policy priorities rooted in family and faith
As a “proud public‑school parent,” Tengtenga said her top priorities include improving school conditions and retaining teachers through better pay and benefits. Both of her children attend local schools—one at Edgewood School and the other at Sankofa Learning Center—so she emphasizes parental‑rights and faith‑based values in education.
She also highlighted pedestrian safety on Whalley Avenue, noting that the current 20‑second crosswalk timer is insufficient for children crossing on their own. “Twenty seconds isn’t long enough,” she said, adding that while she supports bike lanes, the neighborhood’s sidewalks remain unsafe.
Business owners voice concerns
During her walk, Tengtenga spoke with Tareq Ajij of American Best Wings & Gyro, which reopened in July after a year‑long closure. Ajij praised the new location but said the area still needs more security and that business is “better than it was before,” though still slow.
Jeff Zheng, who runs the 31‑year‑old family‑owned A‑1 Oriental Kitchen, described a dip in sales he attributes to post‑COVID effects. He noted that half of his revenue comes from foot traffic and the other half from delivery, but he avoids platforms like Uber Eats because of high fees.
Understanding the limits of aldermanic power
Whalley Avenue is owned by the state, so Tengtenga acknowledged she cannot unilaterally fix the street’s safety issues. However, she pledged to keep residents informed about state actions and delays, and to advocate for longer crosswalk times and better sidewalk maintenance.
Building a visible, engaged government
If elected, Tengtenga plans to finish Hamilton’s term while making local government more visible to Edgewood neighbors. She aims to boost voter turnout, strengthen connections between community members and City Hall, and support renters, who comprise about 85 % of the ward. Although she owns a home on Edgewood Avenue, she expressed enthusiasm for the tenant‑organizing movement spreading across the state.
Tengtenga will file as a Democrat with the city clerk’s office after Hamilton’s official resignation. On the ballot she will appear under her legal maiden name, Lindsey Eichler, though most residents know her by her married name.
Election details
The special election is scheduled for November 10. Randall Furlow, a longtime co‑chair of the Ward 24 Democratic Ward Committee, has also entered the race, setting up a contest between two experienced local Democrats.
Both candidates have emphasized listening to residents, but Tengtenga’s campaign centers on her hands‑on community outreach, her background in civic engagement, and her commitment to safer streets, stronger schools, and a more connected Edgewood.
Original reporting: New Haven Independent — read the source article.
