Middletown Mayor Ben Florsheim issues statement about stepping down

Middletown Mayor Ben Florsheim is stepping down from his position.

Florsheim said he will be stepping down effective June 16.

“There are a number of personal and professional reasons why I’ve come to the decision to move on, not least of which is my faith in Gene (Common council president Eugene Nocera ) and the entire team here to keep our city moving forward. For now, I’ll just say that the time has come for me to pursue a new career direction, one that will keep me in service to the community, but allow me more time and opportunity to focus on building the family and the future that I envision for myself here in Middletown. To put it another way: I’m not going anywhere, and I look forward to making myself of service to the community in the future,” Florsheim said in a statement.  (See the mayor's full statement below.)

When Florsheim was elected in November 2019, the former Wesleyan student became the youngest mayor ever elected in Middletown.

He was reelected in 2023 to a second four-year term.

Common council president Eugene Nocera said, per the town charter, he will take over the duties of mayor in the interim and there will be a special election in November.

Nocera also praised the work of Mayor Florsheim.

“He’s incredible. He’s articulate. He presents his vision well. The community hears it. He’s excellent with the people,” he said.

Florsheim issued this statement on Tuesday evening:

To my fellow Middletown residents:

I’m writing to share some news with you all. After a challenging, gratifying, life-changing experience over the last five and a half years, I will be stepping down as mayor next month. I am making this announcement now in the hopes of facilitating a smooth transition over the next few weeks; my last day will be June 16, when Council President Gene Nocera will become Acting Mayor at 12:00 pm. The Common Council will then declare a permanent vacancy in the office and schedule a special election, which I hope will coincide with the regular municipal election on November 4, 2025.

Doing this job has been the greatest honor of my life. As proud as I am of everything we have achieved during my time in office, that sense of accomplishment is exceeded only by the optimism I have for Middletown’s future. There are a number of personal and professional reasons why I’ve come to the decision to move on, not least of which is my faith in Gene and the entire team here to keep our city moving forward. For now, I’ll just say that the time has come for me to pursue a new career direction, one that will keep me in service to the community, but allow me more time and opportunity to focus on building the family and the future that I envision for myself here in Middletown. To put it another way: I’m not going anywhere, and I look forward to making myself of service to the community in the future.

Holding political office in these times is a solemn duty, one which I have taken seriously from the day that this community vested that trust in me. It is also a deeply weird situation that takes its toll on those of us who ran to serve the needs of ordinary citizens by making it difficult, sometimes impossible, to live ordinary lives. At age 33 and after nearly six years in my role as mayor, the best thing for me and for Middletown is to return to a more ordinary life in a city that we all know to be extraordinary. I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to work with and for you all, and I am looking forward to a smooth transition of leadership and continued forward progress for our community in the weeks, months, and years to come.

In the immortal words of Bob Dylan, and with a tip of the cap to my very first political inspiration and mentor, Russ Feingold:

“My heart is not weary; it’s light and it’s free. I’ve got nothing but affection for those who have sailed with me.”

With thanks, love, and solidarity,

Ben

Lawmakers respond

“From being a steady hand during the pandemic to helping to strengthen Middletown’s local economy and making their Main Street one of the best in the state, Mayor Ben Florsheim has served the City of Middletown well. I wish him the best in his future endeavors,” Gov. Ned Lamont said in a statement.

“Mayor Florsheim is a friend and I thank him for his leadership of the City of Middletown and his dedication to bettering the lives of its residents. He brought a fresh perspective to the city and was a strong municipal partner on a number of pivotal projects that have paved a strong path forward for Middletown. I wish him the best in his next steps,” State Sen. Matt Lesser said in a statement.