Mike Jarjura

Michael "Mike" Jarjura (D-Waterbury) has been proud to be the Mayor of the City of Waterbury since 2002. In his four terms in office, Jarjura brought financial stability, integrity and trust back to Waterbury and its government. As he approaches his fifth term, Jarjura has positioned Waterbury for great advancements. A stable tax rate, comprehensive changes to the zoning regulations, a new, computerized permitting center and millions in infrastructure are just part of the reason the city of Waterbury has become an attractive and affordable place to do business, buy a home and raise a family.

A lifelong Waterbury, Jarjura was raised on hard work and service by his father J.P. Jarjura, owner of J.P. Jarjura & Sons Co. -- one of the region's best established and respected fruit and produce wholesalers. The Mayor brings those lessons of conservative decision making and a strong work ethic to his full-time duties for the city, but also continues to serve in the family business as Vice President and Director with his father and six brothers.

Public service also has played a prominent role in Jarjura's life. After graduating from Sacred Heart High School in 1979 and receiving a Bachelor of Science in Management from Post College, Waterbury in 1983, he earned a Juris Doctorate from the University of Bridgeport, School of Law, in 1987, graduating magna cum laude, in the top 5% of his class, at both schools.

After law school, Jarjura went to work as an Assistant Attorney General until he was elected to the General Assembly in 1992. In the legislature, Rep. Jarjura served as House Chairman of the Insurance and Real Estate Committee. He also served on the Judiciary and Finance Committee and is the past Chairman of the Program Review and Investigations Committee. During his tenure, Representative Jarjura served as Chairman and member of various Legislative Task Forces and Commissions. Jarjura held that office for 10 years until his election to the Mayor's office.

No discussion of Jarjura's distinguished public service and political career would be complete without mentioning his historic win as a write-in candidate in the 2005 Mayoral election. More than 8,000 residents took the time and effort to show their support for the initiatives he championed by opening a metal slide on the city's old-fashioned voting machines and writing in his name -- many of them including personal messages of support as they did so.

Michael is a lifelong resident of Waterbury with strong ties to his community. A parishioner of Our Lady of Lebanon Catholic Church, he is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority (CRRA), the Board of Directors of the East End Community Club, Western CT Area Agency on Aging, Waterbury Crime Stoppers, The Exchange Club of Waterbury, the Waterbury Club and a member of the Post University Alumni Association.

Mayor Jarjura is a member of the Waterbury Bar Association, the Connecticut Bar Association, and the American Bar Association.