After leaving the Hamden mayoral race last month, Independent candidate Albert (Al) Lotto registered through the town to add his name as a write-in for the November ballot.

The decision was announced on Lotto’s Facebook page on Tuesday, Oct. 19.

While the majority of candidates are registered Democrats in Hamden and a small number are registered Republican, Lotto feels he is in a place that can support both.

“We live in a town highly populated by Democrats. There are only a small number of registered republicans left,” Lotto said. “I have nothing personal against either side and I find thoughts on both sides that I can agree with. I also find extremist policies on both sides questionable.”

As an independent candidate, Lotto says there is room to develop new ideas for the community.

“This race has left the moderate voters no choice at all,” Lotto said. “You get far-left or far-right…We need Conservative spending in Hamden government but we also need to think out of the box and proceed forward with new ideas.”

With a lack of choice between candidates for the election, Lotto feels this is putting residents in a bad place to make a proper decision.

“This is a contentious election with two very opposite candidates with no moderate at all,” Lotto said. “This [is] forcing people to make choices they do not want. Moderate Dem[ocrat]s do not want to support a progressive and find it hard to vote Republican. It is absolutely important to change the two-party system that has plagued Hamden for far too long. People deserve choices and moderates deserve that option.”

A large following of Hamden residents are members of the Facebook page called Hamden Crime Watchers, which is administered by Lotto. The page began at the start of the pandemic to address the uptick in crime.

“The HCW page was started during COVID because the current administration was very quiet about the uptick in crime in our town,” Lotto said. “In fact, they [were] in denial that it was increasing. The page was not created with the intent of me running for office, however people view it as transparent and informative and I have developed many partnerships with Hamden residents and discuss their concerns.”

The page was a way to connect with more than residents who can vote in Hamden, but those who also attend Quinnipiac University and live here temporarily.

“I have a huge online following here in Hamden. Hamden Crime Watchers has over 5,000 members now,” Lotto said. “A lot of QU students follow the page as well. I try to make time to speak with and answer everyone who reaches out to contact me.”

Lotto says many Hamden residents are tired of both parties arguing with each other so he wanted to still give them an option to write in his name on the November ballot.

“I couldn’t let them down,” Lotto said.

Lotto will face off against Democratic candidate Lauren Garrett and Republican candidate Ron Gambardella in the municipal election on Nov. 2.

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