Michael Jarjura (born May 12, 1961) is an American attorney and politician who served as the Mayor of Waterbury, Connecticut from 2001 to 2011.
Early Life and Education
Jarjura was born in Waterbury, Connecticut. He was educated in the Waterbury school system and graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1979. He received a Bachelor of Science in Management from Post University in 1983 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Bridgeport Law School in 1987.
Career
After law school, Jarjura worked as an independent attorney and businessman, and served as an assistant Connecticut Attorney General from 1987 to 1993.
Connecticut House of Representatives
Jarjura was elected in November 1992 to represent Waterbury's 74th District in the Connecticut House of Representatives, serving from January 6, 1993 to January 6, 2002. He served as House Chairman of the Insurance and Real Estate Committee and also served on the Judiciary and Finance Committee.
Mayor of Waterbury
Jarjura was first elected mayor in 2001 and took office on January 1, 2002. He was re-elected in 2003. In 2005, after losing the Democratic primary, he was elected to a third term as a write-in candidate. He was re-elected in 2007 and 2009 as the Democratic Party nominee. In 2011, after failing to seek the Democratic nomination, he ran for reelection on the Republican Party ticket but was defeated by former police chief Neil O'Leary.
Political Positions
Jarjura is a cultural conservative who opposes abortion rights. He is a member of the Legislative Advisory Council of the Family Institute of Connecticut, an organization known for its opposition to same-sex marriage. Long considered a conservative Democrat, he joined the Republican Party in 2011. In 2006, he endorsed the independent Senate campaign of Joe Lieberman. In 2008, he announced he would hire former Governor John G. Rowland, who had served prison time on a corruption charge, as an economic development advisor. In September 2009, Jarjura spoke at a Tea Party rally in Waterbury.
2010 Comptroller Election
In May 2010, Jarjura announced he would seek the office of Connecticut State Comptroller. He lost the Democratic primary to Kevin Lembo on August 10, 2010.
Personal
Jarjura is married and resides in Waterbury, Connecticut.
