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New Haven's Maritza Bond declares candidacy for Secretary of the State

She currently serves as New Haven's Director of Public Health

NEW HAVEN, Conn — Maritza Bond, currently serving as New Haven's Director of Public Health, has thrown her hat in the ring and declared herself a candidate for Secretary of the State in the Democratic Primary in August. 

Bond had formed an exploratory committee last year. Calling herself "an underdog," she said that she is comfortable in that role. She said she is the first person in her family to attend college, became the first Hispanic Health Director in Connecticut, and lead the city of New Haven response to the  COVID-19 pandemic. 

On Sunday, Bonds said her campaign platform focuses on "establishing no-excuse absentee ballot voting, early voting, and making the office more business friendly." Bond pointed to her executive experience as the public health director for first Bridgeport and then New Haven, managing hundreds of employees and multi-million dollar budgets, and said that helps differentiate her from the other candidates.

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Democratic State Representatives Hilda Santiago and Stephanie Thomas have also declared their candidacy for the office. Santiago represents Meriden and Thomas represents parts of Norwalk, Westport, and Wilton. 

On the Republican side, State Rep. Terrie Woods, who represents Rowayton and part of Darien, declared her candidacy according to Ballotpedia.org.

RELATED: Democrat Rep. Stephanie Thomas declares run for Secretary of the State

Denise Merrill, who has held the office since 2011, decided not to run for re-election. 

RELATED: The Real Story: Secretary of the State Denise Merrill

Doug Stewart is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dstewart@fox61.com.

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