Candidate Profile: Beloved Grace Carter, New London Mayor

NEW LONDON, CT — The 2023 municipal election is heating up in New London and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

New London Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

New London resident Beloved Grace Carter tells Patch why she should be elected as mayor.

How old will you be as of Election Day?

72 years 9 months and 18 days

Please give us your party affiliation.

Republican

Education.

Graduated Johnson & Wales culinary University baking and pastry. Graduated the river University School of government, Tampa florida.

What is your occupation?

Retired pastry chef over 40 years of experience

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

I have nine children. Six biological and three adopted. Their ages range from 29 to 54 years old. Louis and Matt Rollins, Rashad, Geno, Aziza Marshall, Jean-Claude, Kevin Nicolas. And two more who wish to remain anonymous!

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No, not at this time.

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

No

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?

New London is a city that I love, everything about it and everyone in it. The general populace and the disenfranchised have a voice that needs to be heard. Those who are in a better position economically and socially need to have more say in how and where their money is being spent in the city.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is _____, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Housing: as a human right

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I am as comfortable sitting in the mayor's office as I am sitting with the homeless having breakfast. I am able to genuinely connect and relate to all people in any socioeconomic class.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

By considering concrete over compassion and not realizing that the people of the community are the true infrastructure!

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

The overpricing and over budgeting of the wind turbines. And the lack of support for those fighting for food equity in our community.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

It is not on my resume or in what I have attained financially. It is my deep roots of Seven Generations in this community, from my great-grandfather to my great-grandchildren. It is in my ability to listen attentively and to ask sincere questions, in order to work towards a viable solution.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Don't wear Saul's armor, be your unique self.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I would like to put the word educate back into education.