:Luke Bronin

{{short description|American politician and lawyer|bot=PearBOT 5}}

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Luke Bronin

| image = Luke Bronin (42831415392).jpg

| caption = Bronin in 2018

| office = 67th Mayor of Hartford

| term_start = January 1, 2016

| term_end = January 1, 2024

| predecessor = Pedro Segarra

| successor = Arunan Arulampalam

| birth_name = Luke Aaron Bronin

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1979|6|30}}

| birth_place = Port Chester, New York, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| party = Democratic

| spouse = {{marriage|Sara Galvan|2007}}

| children = 3

| education = Yale University (BA, JD)
Balliol College, Oxford (MSc)

| allegiance = {{flag|United States}}

| branch = {{flag|United States Navy}}

| rank = Lieutenant

| battles = War in Afghanistan{{cite web |title=Meet Luke Bronin |url=http://lukebronin.com/meet-luke |website=Campaign website}}

| unit = United States Navy Reserve

}}

Luke Aaron Bronin{{cite news|title=Sara Galvan and Luke Bronin|work=The New York Times |date=April 29, 2007 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/29/fashion/weddings/29VOWS.html |last1=Semrad |first1=Staci }} (born June 30, 1979){{cite web|title=Luke A. Bronin|url=http://connvoters.com/by_number/0016/03768_luke_a_bronin.html|website=connvoters.com|access-date=2015-11-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117072728/http://connvoters.com/by_number/0016/03768_luke_a_bronin.html|archive-date=2015-11-17|url-status=dead}} is an American politician and lawyer who was the 67th mayor of Hartford, Connecticut, serving from January 1, 2016, to January 1, 2024.{{cite web|title=Democrats Declare Luke Bronin Winner In Hartford Mayoral Race|url=http://www.courant.com/community/hartford/hc-hartford-ct-election-results-luke-bronin-mayor-1104-20151103-story.html|website=Hartford Courant|date=November 4, 2015 }}{{cite web |title=Hartford's newly elected mayor already getting down to business |url=http://www.wfsb.com/story/30550663/hartfords-newly-elected-mayor-already-getting-down-to-business |website=WFSB}}

He previously served as general counsel for the Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy. Before that, he served in two senior posts at the United States Department of the Treasury during President Barack Obama's first term: as Senior Advisor to the Deputy Secretary of the Treasury and then as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorist Financing and Financial Crimes.{{cite web|title=Luke Bronin to serve as new GC in Office of Governor in Connecticut|url=http://whoswholegal.com/news/community/article/30251/luke-bronin-serve-new-gc-office-governor-connecticut/|website=Who's Who Legal}}

Bronin has served as an officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve, and was deployed to Afghanistan and assigned to the Anti-Corruption Task Force.{{cite web|title=Bronin Resigns Malloy Administration Post, Signals Run for Mayor|url=http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/archives/entry/bronin_resigns_malloy_administration_post_signals_run_for_mayor/|website=CT News Junkie|date=December 9, 2014 }} He also worked in the private sector, at The Hartford Financial Services Group, as chief of staff to the President of the Hartford's Property and Casualty Division.{{cite web|title=Malloy counsel Bronin leaving to explore Hartford mayoral run|url=http://ctmirror.org/2014/12/09/bronin-departing-malloy-administration-to-explore-mayoral-run-in-hartford/|website=CT Mirror|date=December 9, 2014 }} In December 2014, the law firm Hinckley Allen & Snyder LLP announced Bronin would become a partner.{{cite web|title=Bronin lands at Hinckley Allen|url=http://ctmirror.org/2014/12/17/bronin-lands-at-hinckley-allen/|website=CT Mirror|date=December 17, 2014 }} He is a member of the Democratic Party.{{cite web|title=Bronin To Challenge Segarra In Hartford|url=http://www.courant.com/community/hartford/hc-hartford-luke-bronin-mayoral-run-0115-20150114-story.html|website=Hartford Courant|date=January 14, 2015 }}

Early life and education

Bronin was born in Westchester County, New York and completed high school at Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire before he attended Yale University as an undergraduate. Upon graduation he attended the Balliol College, Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. He returned to the United States to earn a J.D. degree at Yale Law School.{{cite web|title=Luke Bronin, Gov. Malloy's Ex-Lawyer, to Run for Hartford Mayor|url=http://wnpr.org/post/luke-bronin-gov-malloys-ex-lawyer-run-hartford-mayor|website=WNPR|date=January 14, 2015 }}{{cite web |title=Luke A. Bronin |url=http://www.cfr.org/staff/b15025 |website=Council on Foreign Relations}}

Career

After graduation from Yale Law School, Bronin joined The Hartford Insurance Company in the Asylum Hill neighborhood of Hartford, where he worked first as associate counsel and assistant to the general counsel, and then as chief of staff to the President of The Hartford's Property and Casualty Division Neal Wolin.{{cite web|title=House Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing|url=http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CHRG-112hhrg72786/html/CHRG-112hhrg72786.htm|website=U.S. Government Printing Office}}{{Cite web|url=https://newsroom.thehartford.com/releases/the-hartford-s-neal-s-wolin-accepts-position-with-obama-administration|title=Newsroom {{!}} The Hartford Media Relations Team {{!}} The Hartford|website=newsroom.thehartford.com|language=en|access-date=2018-08-13}} He is a partner at the private law firm Hinckley Allen LLP.

= Early political work =

In 2004, Bronin ran the re-election campaign of Democratic state senator Andrew J. McDonald. McDonald went on to become the first Connecticut Supreme Court Justice from the LGBT community.{{cite web|title=Legislature confirms first openly gay justice for Supreme Court|url=http://ctmirror.org/2013/01/23/legislature-confirms-first-openly-gay-justice-supreme-court/|website=CT Mirror|date=January 23, 2013 }}{{cite web|title=Biographies of Supreme Court Justices – Justice Andrew J. McDonald|url=http://www.jud.state.ct.us/external/supapp/justice_mcdonald.html|website=State of Connecticut – Judicial Branch}}

In 2006, Bronin served as deputy campaign manager for Dannel Malloy's run for Governor of Connecticut.

= Military service =

Bronin served as a commissioned intelligence officer in the Navy Reserve.{{cite web|title=NAVY RESERVE LIEUTENANT ALL-FULLY-QUALIFIED-OFFICERS LIST|url=http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/reference/messages/Documents/ALNAVS/ALN2010/ALN10064.txt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117032010/http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/reference/messages/Documents/ALNAVS/ALN2010/ALN10064.txt|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 17, 2015|website=Navy.gov}} He was a member of the military's anti-corruption task force during his deployment to Afghanistan from September 2010 to April 2011. He left active service as a lieutenant.

= Obama administration =

During the first term of President Barack Obama's administration, Bronin served in appointed positions at the U.S. Department of the Treasury. He first served as Senior Advisor to his former boss, the Deputy Secretary of the United States Treasury Neal Wolin.{{cite web|title=Governor's Top Legal Adviser Will Leave Post|url=http://www.ctlawtribune.com/id=1202678742082/Governors-Top-Legal-Adviser-Will-Leave-Post|website=Connecticut Law Tribune}}

Bronin was then named Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorist Financing and Financial Crimes.{{cite web|title=Law Firm Hires Luke Bronin|url=http://www.courant.com/community/hartford/hartford-cityline/hc-law-firm-hires-luke-bronin-20141217-story.html|website=Hartford Courant}} He also testified before Congress in his official capacity.

= Mayor of Hartford =

Before running for mayor, Bronin joined the Governor Dannel Malloy's administration as general counsel in January 2013.{{cite web|title=Gov. Malloy Selects Luke Bronin as General Counsel|url=http://www.governor.ct.gov/malloy/cwp/view.asp?Q=517040&A=4010|website=Office of Governor Dannel P. Malloy}}

In 2015, he ran in and won the Democratic primary in the Hartford Mayoral election against an incumbent, Mayor Pedro Segarra. In July 2015, the Hartford Democratic Town Council endorsed Bronin.{{cite web|title=Luke Bronin Wins Hartford Democrats' Endorsement For Mayor After Pedro Segarra Walks Out|url=http://www.courant.com/community/hartford/hc-hartford-democrats-nominating-convention-0728-20150727-story.html|website=Hartford Courant|date=July 28, 2015 }} Then, in a September 2015 primary, he defeated Mayor Segarra by a ten-point margin.{{cite web|title=Mayoral Challenger Luke Bronin Wins Primary Over Pedro Segarra|url=http://www.courant.com/community/hartford/hc-hartford-mayor-primary-luke-bronin-pedro-segarra-0917-20150916-story.html|website=Hartford Courant|date=September 17, 2015 }} Following the primary victory, he was endorsed by Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy and Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy.{{cite web|title=Gov. Malloy Endorses Luke Bronin For Hartford Mayor; Segarra's Plans Still Unknown|url=http://www.courant.com/community/hartford/hc-hartford-day-after-primary-luke-bronin-0918-20150916-story.html|website=Hartford Courant|date=September 18, 2015 }}{{cite web|title=Sens. Blumenthal, Murphy Endorse Bronin For Hartford Mayor|url=http://www.courant.com/community/hartford/hc-hartford-murphy-blumenthal-endorse-bronin-20150919-story.html|website=Hartford Courant|date=September 19, 2015 }} He won the general election on November 3, 2015.

Although he pledged that he would serve out his full term as Mayor of Hartford, in December 2017, Bronin formed an exploratory committee to run for Governor of Connecticut in 2018.{{Cite news|url=http://www.courant.com/community/hartford/hc-news-hartford-bronin-malloy-20171120-story.html|title=Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin Dismisses Critics As He Considers Gubernatorial Run|last=Carlesso|first=Jenna|date=November 20, 2017|work=Hartford Courant Community|access-date=November 29, 2017|language=en-US}}{{cite news|url=http://www.courant.com/community/hartford/hc-he-news-bronin-governor-exploratory-committee-20171205-story.html|title=Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin Forms Exploratory Committee For Gubernatorial Run|last=Carlesso|first=Jenna|date=December 7, 2017|access-date=December 8, 2017|language=en-US}} He abandoned his bid in April 2018 after failing to gain traction.{{Cite news|url=http://www.courant.com/community/hartford/hc-pol-bronin-abandons-gubernatorial-bid-20180416-story.html|title=Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin Abandons Bid For Governor's Seat|work=Hartford Courant|last1=Carlesso|first1=Jenna|last2=Vigdor|first2=Neil|last3=Altimari|first3=Daniela|date=April 16, 2018|access-date=April 16, 2018|language=en-US}}{{cite web|url=https://ctmirror.org/2018/04/16/hartfords-bronin-quits-democratic-race-governor/|title=Hartford's Bronin quits Democratic race for governor|work=The Connecticut Mirror|last=Pazniokas|first=Mark|date=April 16, 2018|access-date=April 16, 2018}} During his campaign, he was criticized for soliciting campaign donations from Hartford public employees using their government email accounts, a misstep that led to a complaint with the Connecticut Elections Enforcement Commission.{{Cite news|url=http://www.courant.com/politics/hc-pol-luke-bronin-city-emails-20171211-story.html|title=Bronin Campaign Apologizes For Fundraising Email Sent To City School Workers|last=Blair|first=Russell|work=courant.com|access-date=2018-08-13|language=en-US}}

In January 2019, Bronin announced he would seek reelection for Mayor of Hartford.{{cite news |last1=Gosselin |first1=Kenneth |title=Field of challengers widens as Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin announces re-election bid |url=https://www.courant.com/community/hartford/hc-news-hartford-bronin-reelection-20190122-53tydqsyp5fnxmq5swe7sp7e44-story.html |access-date=6 September 2019 |publisher=The Hartford Courant |date=23 January 2019}} He faced challenges in the Democratic primary from former Mayor Eddie Perez, first elected in 2001 but who resigned from office in 2010 after being convicted on corruption charges,{{cite news |last1=Bailey, Jr. |first1=Everton |title=Mayor convicted of corruption, will step down |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/37784680/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/t/mayor-convicted-corruption-step-down/#.XXLNa5NKh0s |access-date=6 September 2019 |agency=Associated Press |work=NBC News |date=18 June 2010}}{{dead link|date=August 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} and Connecticut State Representative Brandon McGee.{{cite news |last1=Carlesso |first1=Jenna |title=Buoyed by issues plaguing Hartford, state Rep. Brandon McGee announces mayoral run |url=https://www.courant.com/community/hartford/hc-news-hartford-mcgee-mayoral-election-20190128-zq2cam6x4zdhfej6r2ubv375aa-story.html |access-date=6 September 2019 |publisher=The Hartford Courant |date=28 January 2019}} Bronin coasted to victory during the September 10 Democratic primary, capturing nearly 60% of the vote. Perez challenged Bronin again in the general election as an independent candidate Several other challengers faced Bronin in the November 5 general election. They were TV entrepreneur J. Stan McCauley, a Democrat who was cross-endorsed by the Hartford Republican Town Committee and will appear on the Republican line in the general election; Aaron Lewis, president and CEO of The Scribe's Ink publishing service; and Giselle “Gigi” Jacobs, who owns a cleaning company, Sister Soldier Environmental Services. Lewis and Jacobs are also Democrats.{{cite news |last1=Blair |first1=Russell |last2=Lurye |first2=Rebecca |title=Incumbent Mayor Luke Bronin coasts to victory in Hartford primary |url=https://www.courant.com/politics/hc-pol-hartford-mayor-winner-20190910-4kfnz6grgzg23iad5enwwlm6ye-story.html |access-date=11 September 2019 |publisher=Hartford Courant |date=10 September 2019}} Bronin won the general election by a broad margin, and was elected to a second term as mayor.

In 2022, Bronin announced he would not seek a third term as mayor.{{cite web |last1=Polansky |first1=Rob |last2=Galal |first2=Ayah |title=Hartford's Mayor says he won't be running for reelection |url=https://www.wfsb.com/2022/11/29/hartfords-mayor-says-he-wont-be-running-office-again/ |website=WFSB |access-date=November 29, 2022 |date=November 29, 2022}}

Personal life

Bronin is married to Sara Cecilia Galvan. They met when they were both Rhodes Scholars.{{cite news|title=Sara Galvan and Luke Bronin| work=The New York Times | date=April 29, 2007 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/29/fashion/weddings/29VOWS.html?_r=0 | last1=Semrad | first1=Staci }} She is a professor at University of Connecticut Law School and is a past president of the Connecticut Hispanic Bar Association.{{cite web|title=Faculty Profiles|url=http://www.law.uconn.edu/faculty/profiles/sara-c-bronin|website=University of Connecticut School of Law}} They have three children.{{cite web|title=Segarra Claim About Challenger's Voting Record Falls Flat|url=http://www.courant.com/community/hartford/hc-hartford-luke-bronin-voting-0305-20150304-story.html|website=Hartford Courant|date=March 4, 2015 }}

Divorce: Luke Bronin and Sara Bronin, a prominent power couple in Connecticut's political and academic circles, announced their decision to divorce in September 2024.{{cite news|title=Former Hartford mayor and his wife, former zoning commission chair, plan to divorce| work=Hartford Business Journal | date=September 4, 2024 |url=https://www.hartfordbusiness.com/article/former-hartford-mayor-and-his-wife-former-zoning-commission-chair-plan-to-divorce }} In a message to friends, they stated that they are "planning to separate and to begin moving toward a divorce, in a collaborative, loving, mutually supportive process." The couple, who have been married for 17 years and together for over 20, emphasized their continued friendship and their deep love for their three children.

Bronin is a songwriter, guitarist, and singer, with a self-titled album of seven songs.{{cite web|title=Luke Bronin|url=https://www.amazon.com/Luke-Bronin/dp/B008PBLWJ4|website=Amazon}} One of his songs was played on the television show Dawson's Creek.{{cite web|title=Dawson's Creek|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0555127/soundtrack|website=IMDB}}

References

External links

[http://www.hartford.gov/mayors-office Mayor Luke Bronin] official government website
[http://lukebronin.com/ Luke Bronin for Hartford] campaign website
{{Ballotpedia}}
{{C-SPAN|63784}}