It has been an absolute honor to represent Ward 1 for the past year and a half. As a first-generation low-income student born and raised in New Haven by Honduran immigrant parents, it’s been a special privilege to hold such a position — knowing that city politics used to exclude people like me. 

In high school, my first experiences engaging with city government came through climate activism. Alongside a fellow New Haven Public School student, Adrian Huq, I co-founded the New Haven Climate Movement’s youth action team. My first task was to help pass our Climate Emergency Resolution, a timeline committing New Haven to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030. Through our advocacy inside and outside City Hall, the Board of Alders unanimously voted in favor of the resolution in September 2019. Since then, the Climate Emergency Resolution has served as the foundation of New Haven’s work on climate change.

This background prepared me significantly for the work that was to come ahead. As with my work in high school, the most important thing I have learned during my tenure is the vital importance of connecting and networking with others to achieve results. Indeed, there has not been a single issue that I have tackled alone while being on the board. 

For example, when my constituents in the Emerson building were struggling at the hands of an unresponsive landlord, I immediately turned to leadership and my colleagues to ask what next steps I should consider. Thanks to their guidance, I was able to connect the tenants with the Fair Rent Commission in City Hall, helping them in their situation with their landlord and eventually helping them form a tenants’ union. Getting to know those administrators in City Hall ensured that I could relay the most accurate information to tenants and help support them throughout this process.

These are learning experiences that I will take with me long after my time at Yale. I implore both the candidates to realize that this job is not isolated. In many ways, serving in office, at least in my experience on the local level, is the opposite of campaigning. Instead of being all about politics, it’s more about governance. And to do governance well and to be productive, you must build a coalition, especially with the other twenty-nine alders on the board.

The connections I’ve made do not fade after my aldership. I intend on keeping this network strong because being Ward 1 alder is not just a two-year job. It is a commitment to the city and its well-being. After my term, I plan on staying in New Haven for many years. I plan to remain a New Haven voter and an informed constituent. I plan on continuing to fight for climate action, affordable housing, funded schools and much more as a citizen of New Haven.

In 2023, voters supported a city charter to change the term length for both the mayor and alders from two-year terms to four-year terms. Many speculate that this change may mean the end of the “Yale Alder” because of how difficult it would be to find a student candidate willing to continue to serve as an alder after they graduate.

I see three possible outcomes. First, this shift may deter students from running, and thus someone from the multiple apartment buildings in Ward 1 — The Taft, The Liberty, The Eli, etc. — might choose to run. Second, the next alder, who will be the last to have a two-year term, can run again to be in the position for four more years. Third, by being strategic and intentional, the next alder could put it upon themselves to find underclassmen who are also from New Haven and inspire them to run for this seat. It takes a true leader to work on preserving such an important legacy.

This is why, as the current Ward 1 Alder, I am now endorsing Elias Theodore in this election. For Elias, this race is about so much more than winning a seat; it’s about the very foundation and future of Downtown and the greater city of New Haven. For almost a decade, the Ward 1 position has been held by Yale students who were also from New Haven. To me, this signifies the important perspective held by those who can speak to both the “town” and “gown” in town-gown relations within the city. As a New Havener, these issues are more than personal. I believe that Elias is more than ready to fight for what the city needs. 

I started this race by endorsing Rhea McTiernan Huge. However, Rhea and I both agree that the most important thing for us in this election is having our next representative be someone who has had experiences in New Haven beyond being a student. Thus, we both agreed the best step was to prevent splitting the ballot and having Rhea endorse Elias instead.

Elias has run an extraordinary campaign. He has done the work and has engaged Ward 1 in a way it has never been done before. Elias’s social media presence and approachability will ensure students stay informed and have the chance to interact with city policies themselves. Elias has led his campaign with so much love, joy and integrity; his energy is infectious. 

I know better than many about what’s necessary to thrive in this position. From my time interacting with Elias, I know I couldn’t ask for a more passionate or dedicated candidate. I urge those who supported Rhea’s campaign to take their vote and support Elias Theodore for Ward 1 alder. 

To whomever takes my place as alder: there is a lot of learning that comes with the job. From Yale’s financial contribution to affordable housing, many of the city’s most pressing issues are longstanding and require context to understand. Serving in this position, getting to know each of my colleagues and learning more about all types of policy issues have taught me more about New Haven and public service than I could ever learn in a classroom. And, should I ever hold elected office again, I feel prepared to better advocate for my future constituents.

As my tenure as Ward 1 alder comes to a close at the end of this semester, I would like to thank everyone who made my experience on the board exciting and fulfilling. I would not be able to do this important work without the support of the Yale student body, my colleagues, my friends and my family. Thank you all.

KIANA FLORESis a senior in Pierson College studying Political Science and the current Ward 1 alder. She can be reached at kiana.flores@yale.edu.