Soon-to-retire New Haven State Sen. and President Pro Tem Martin Looney has endorsed Morris Cove Alder Leland Moore for an open east-side state representative seat. Moore, a first-term Ward 18 alder and assistant state attorney general, announced that endorsement in a Tuesday email press release . “Alder Leland Moore will be an excellent Democratic State Representative for the 97th District as a principled champion for all of the core concerns vital to the district, the City of New Haven, and the State of Connecticut: tax equity, educational opportunity, affordable housing, access to high quality and reasonably priced health care, vigilant protection of our environment, responsible and accountable public safety services, and vigorous and effective job creation and economic development programs,” Looney is quoted as saying in the press release. “I am proud to support Leland because of his ability to connect and to build relationships with people, his experience as an attorney in state government, and his passionate commitment to public service. We will all benefit from his energy, talent, and judgment as our State Representative.” Moore is running against city Fair Rent Commission Executive Director Wildaliz Bermudez for the Democratic nomination for the 97th General Assembly District seat, which covers parts of Morris Cove, the Annex, Fair Haven Heights, Quinnipiac Meadows, and Fair Haven. That seat has been held for the past decade by State Rep. Al Paolillo, Jr., who is now running for Looney’s soon-to-be-open 11th State Senate District seat. Looney’s endorsement comes less than a week after state Attorney General William Tong, Moore’s boss, endorsed Moore’s candidacy. Moore has also secured the endorsements of the local Democratic Party and the CT AFL-CIO, among other groups. The Democratic primary for the 97th District will take place on Aug. 11. Early voting starts on Aug. 3. Absentee ballot voting has already begun. The post Looney Endorses Moore appeared first on New Haven Independent. ...read more read less