As we get ready to start 2026, the New Britain Progressive looks back at some of the important stories the New Britain Progressive covered in 2025. Many of these stories span multiple articles covered in the New Britain Progressive, so many of the larger stories are represented by one article, here. With that, here are this year’s Top Stories of 2025.

Best wishes for the New Year!

Political Change

Mayor Bobby Sanchez elected and Democrats Win Big

Mayor Bobby Sanchez (D) became the first Democratic Mayor of New Britain more than a decade, changing city’s top office from Republican to Democratic for the first time in twelve years. Sanchez, the first Latino Mayor of the city, was elected in a landslide, along with overwhelmig Democratic victories in elections for the City Council, Board of Education and other offices.

Rep Dave DeFronzo Succeeds Rep Peter Tercyak in the 26th

State Rep Dave DeFronzo (D-26) was sworn into office in 2026 for his first term after succeeding former Rep Peter Tercyak (D-26), who retired after serving as a New Britain legislator since 2003.

Remembering Honored Community Leaders

The New Britain community mourned and honored the lives of a number of honored community members who passed. A few of them were:

Brian Keith Albert

Harriet S Geragosian

Adam Platosz

Protesting Oppressive Trump Policies

Protesting Against Fascism

Protests in New Britain, the region, the state and across the country continued throughout the year against the fascism of the Republican Party and their President, Donald Trump (R).

Protesting Immigration Abductions

These protests always included, and often were entirely about the abductions of residents under the immigration policies of President Donald Trump (R) and his Republican administration.

Continuing Local Stories

While there are many local stories that will certainly continue into the new year, here are a couple of those that have been covered this year.

Allen Street Drainage Improvements and Reconstruction Project

While state and local funding was allocated for the long-delayed Allen Street Drainage Improvements and Reconstruction Project, local residents await full funding and completion of the project by the city.

Special Election for 25th State House of Representatives District

After the election of Mayor Bobby Sanchez, the district he represented in the State House of Representatives is to be filled in a January 6th special election. Democratic City Council member, Ald Iris Noemi Sanchez (D-3) and city Constable Jamie Vaughan (R) are running in the election.

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