Javier Varas/Facebook
ANSONIA – Democrat Javier Varas has ended his campaign for mayor, citing family health issues.
Varas, 23, had announced his campaign in March. He is also the vice chair of the Ansonia Democratic Town Committee.
Varas said that he needed to withdraw to focus on his family.
“Like all of you, my family is very dear to me,” Varas wrote in a prepared statement May 22. “To get personal for a moment: My wife has a genetic condition called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome which, in the past month, has become complicated to manage. Recently, it requires many out-of-state trips to specialists. While we have had hopeful results come back, at this time, I need to be there with my wife through this process.”
A new candidate is expected to announce their run at the Ansonia Democratic Town Committee meeting scheduled for May 28, according to committee chair Dave Hannon.
“We were sad when (Varas) decided to drop out, but also concerned for his wife’s health and the overall picture. We completely support his decision. Family first, always, and he’s got to do what’s best for him and his family right now,” Hannon said.
Official party nominations don’t take place until July.
Ansonia Democrats have not held any seats on the Board of Aldermen since 2022, when then-Democratic Alderman Joseph Jeanette Jr. switched to the Republican Party. Incumbent Republican Mayor David Cassetti won a sixth term in office in 2023, with Democratic candidate Thomas Egan netting just twenty percent of the vote.
Cassetti said he wishes Varas and his family well.
Varas lives in Ansonia with his wife and works as a management and policy analyst in the New Haven mayor’s office. He holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and economics from UConn. He said he intends to stay involved in Ansonia electoral politics through other means.
Election Day is Nov. 4.
Varas’ full statement is pasted below:
“I filed to run for Mayor of Ansonia because I care deeply about the families in this community. You deserve leadership that takes their role seriously, always tells you the truth, is careful with your tax dollars, knows how to build teams, and can meaningfully make progress for this city. And you deserve someone available to show up and give 100% every day to that most critical job.
Like all of you, my family is very dear to me. To get personal for a moment: My wife has a genetic condition named Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome which, in the past month, has become complicated to manage. Recently, it requires many out-of-state trips to specialists. While we have had hopeful results come back, at this time, I need to be there with my wife through this process. I believe you all understand that family must come first at times like this.
While I have the professional skills, commitment to this community, and vision to lead Ansonia well, I must very sadly withdraw my candidacy for Mayor this year. I am still evaluating other options to offer my expertise and support to this community.
Ansonia is at a crossroads, facing serious financial challenges and painful tax hikes our neighbors cannot afford. My wife and I chose Ansonia to build our future, and we are not going anywhere.
Together, we can build a stronger Ansonia for every family, and I look forward to many conversations over the coming years about how to make that possible.
Warmly,
Javier Varas
Vice Chair of the Ansonia Democratic Town Committee”
