The quest for the mayor’s office became a four-man race on Tuesday when New Haven firefighter Salvatore Consiglio Jr. told the New Haven Register that he will run to replace Mayor John DeStefano Jr., who announced in January that he will not seek an 11th term in office.

A resident of the Fair Haven neighborhood, Consiglio plans to run as an independent, a choice that allows him to bypass the Democratic primary scheduled for September that often turns the election into a one-man race due to the city’s strong Democratic leanings. He said he plans to get his ideas out within the next nine months, and hopes that his candidacy will provide Elm City residents with more choices when they go to the polls this November.

“I want the people of the city to know that they do have a choice, and who better than a firefighter to take charge and turn things around,” the 14-year firefighter told the Register.

Also vying for the mayor’s office are Ward 10 Alderman Justin Elicker FES ’10 SOM ’10, Connecticut State Rep. Gary Holder-Winfield and Sundiata Keitazulu, a plumber and New Haven resident.

ISAAC STANLEY-BECKER