Mayor Bobby Sanchez’s Inaugural Address
Editor’s note: The following is the Inaugural Address delivered by New Britain Mayor Bobby Sanchez (D) on November 12, 2025 at New Britain High School. The cover photo is by Dr Frank Gerratana.
Good afternoon, New Britain.
Standing here today, being sworn in as the 41st Mayor of our great city, is one of the greatest honors of my life. And to stand here as the first Latino mayor in New Britain’s history is something I will carry with pride, with humility, and with a deep sense of responsibility.
As a young Puerto Rican kid growing up in New Britain, this moment is surreal for me. My parents worked incredibly hard, built a life for us here, all in pursuit of the American dream that is far too elusive for many today.
This moment is more than personal, it is a reflection of a city that continues to grow, to open doors, and to embrace the richness of our diversity. It is proof that when we come together, when we lift each other up, when we believe in the promise of our future, anything is possible in New Britain.
Before I say anything else, I want to express my deepest thanks to my wife, Nebby, who has been my partner, my anchor, and my source of strength throughout this journey.
Thank you for your love, your patience, and your belief in me, especially on the long nights, the tough decisions, and the countless events when you stood right by my side.
To my son, Lawrence, I am so proud of you. Your support, your encouragement, and your understanding mean the world to me. I hope this moment shows you, and every young person in our city, that there is no limit to what you can achieve.
I also want to thank all of my family who are here today and for those that are not, know that we all keep you in our hearts. Your love is the foundation that made this day possible.
Thank you to Former Mayor Erin Stewart for her support though this transition and for her years of service to the city we both love.
And to the countless volunteers, supporters, friends, and neighbors who have stood with me not only during this campaign, but over decades of public service, thank you. Thank you for knocking on doors, for making calls, for showing up at meetings, for believing in a vision of what New Britain can be. This victory belongs to all of you. You helped build this moment, and I am forever grateful.
But today is not just about celebrating the results of an election. It is about charting a path forward, together.
Throughout this campaign, I spoke about the challenges facing our city and the opportunities in front of us. And I made commitments to the people of New Britain, commitments I intend to keep.
We all see the uncertainty in Washington. We feel the economic pressures that families and cities across this country are facing. In moments like these, New Britain needs steady leadership, fiscal responsibility, and absolute transparency.
That is why, as my first act as Mayor, I will take immediate steps to strengthen the fiscal standing of our city.
I will call for an audit of city finances so we have a clear and honest picture of where we stand and so every resident can have confidence in how their tax dollars are being used.
I will institute a 90-day hiring and promotion freeze to ensure we are right-sizing government and making smart, responsible decisions as we move forward.
And I will order a comprehensive review of all current and proposed contracts, because every dollar matters, and every commitment must be aligned with the needs and priorities of the people of New Britain.
Let me be clear: this is not about pointing fingers.
This is about building on the foundation of our city, based on transparency, accountability, and trust. These steps are the starting point, not the end, of charting a path forward for our city.
I promised to work toward a safer city, with stronger partnerships between our police, our schools, and our community organizations. In my first hundred days, we will establish the Blue Ribbon Commission on Crime Reduction, bringing everyone to the table to ensure our neighborhoods are safe and our streets are secure.
I promised to address long-standing issues in our infrastructure, including the Allen Street water and sewer problems that have been ignored for far too long. We will take real, concrete steps to finally deliver relief and modernize our systems.
I promised to invest in our schools, strengthen our partnerships with the Board of Education, and champion opportunities for every child, regardless of which neighborhood they are born in.
I promised to make New Britain a more affordable and accessible place to live and work, by focusing on housing, job creation, and economic development that lifts up our entire community.
And most importantly, I promised to listen, really listen, to the people of this city.
Because the best solutions don’t come from the top down. They come from the people who live here, raise their families here, work here, and care deeply about this community.
And that brings me to what I believe is the most important message of today:
Now is the time to come together.
Campaigns by their nature can highlight what divides us. But governing is about finding what unites us.
And there is far more that binds New Britain together than separates us.
We all want safe streets.
We all want strong schools.
We all want clean parks and vibrant neighborhoods.
We all want a government that works, and leaders who listen.
That is our common ground. That is our shared purpose. And that is the spirit that will guide this administration.
To my colleagues on the Common Council, thank you for your willingness to serve. I look forward to working with each of you, regardless of party or background. My door will always be open, and my commitment is to lead with transparency, respect, and a willingness to find solutions.
To the residents of this city, you have placed your trust in me, and I will work every single day to earn it. I will be a mayor for every neighborhood, every family, and every person who calls New Britain home.
This is our moment.
Our opportunity.
Our chapter to write together.
Let us move forward with hope.
Let us move forward with purpose.
Let us move forward, united, for the future of New Britain.
Thank you, God bless you, and God bless the city of New Britain.
