Former Empower New Haven CEO and possible mayoral candidate Sherri Killins discussed Elm City politics and policy with the Black Student Alliance at Yale Tuesday night.
Killins, who was fired last fall from her position at Empower New Haven by Mayor John DeStefano Jr., said little about her plans for the upcoming election. Instead, along with Ward 28 Alderman Brian Jenkins, she spoke with a group of about 30 students about her experiences working towards urban development in Pittsburgh, Baltimore and New Haven while explaining the role Yalies could play in city politics.
“I believe you can match economic policy and social policy,” Killins said. “We really need to find a way to create sustainable solutions — over the long haul.”
Killins, who has been mentioned as a possible challenger to DeStefano in the September Democratic primary, said Monday night that she was “considering” a possible campaign. She said she would make a decision by the end of April.
“I am figuring out what my next career will be and how I will fit into the city of New Haven,” Killins said to BSAY last night.
Jenkins, who said last week that he would not support DeStefano’s reelection bid, said neither he nor Killins would passively support the mayor’s administration.
“She’s not part of the machine, if you will,” Jenkins said. “The machine certainly has not helped poor people.”
— Jacob Leibenluft