May 20th, 2025
For Immediate Release
Contact: Bobbye Knoll Peterson, Chief of Staff, 860-638-4805

Statement from Mayor Florsheim on his Decision to Step Down

Mayor Florsheim to Leave Office Effective June 16th 2025

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 for me 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 know and serve with you all, and I am looking forward to working with you in the next few weeks to ensure a smooth transition of leadership.  

In the immortal words of Bob Dylan-- and 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