Arunan Arulampalam

Arunan Arulampalam
Born	15 9, 1985
Birthplace	Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, attorney
Known for	First South Asian mayor of Hartford
Education	Emory University (BA) Quinnipiac University (JD)
Spouse(s)	Liza Butler
Children	5

Arunan Arulampalam (born September 15, 1985) is an American politician and attorney serving as the Mayor of Hartford, Connecticut, since January 1, 2024. A member of the Democratic Party, he won the November 2023 mayoral election, succeeding Luke Bronin. Born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, to parents of Sri Lankan Tamil descent, Arulampalam's path to leading Connecticut's capital city traced an uncommon arc — from southern Africa through the American South, and eventually to New England, where he built a career in law, public service, and community development. He is the first person of South Asian descent to serve as mayor of Hartford, a milestone noted in both local and national media coverage of his candidacy and election. Before entering electoral politics, Arulampalam served as the chief executive officer of the Hartford Land Bank, where he worked on revitalizing blighted and vacant properties across the city.

Early Life

Arunan Arulampalam was born on September 15, 1985, in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. His family is of Sri Lankan Tamil heritage. His parents had left Sri Lanka amid the country's civil conflict, eventually settling in Zimbabwe before later immigrating to the United States. The family's journey from Sri Lanka to Africa and then to America shaped Arulampalam's understanding of displacement, immigration, and community resilience — themes that would later inform his political career.

Arulampalam grew up in the United States and eventually settled in Hartford, Connecticut, where he became involved in civic life. His background as an immigrant and person of color in a city with a diverse population became a central part of his public identity. Coverage of his 2023 mayoral campaign frequently highlighted his unusual biographical trajectory — from Bulawayo to Hartford — as emblematic of the city's immigrant traditions.

During the 2023 campaign, Arulampalam spoke publicly about how his family's experiences as immigrants and refugees influenced his commitment to public service and community development in Hartford.

Education

Arulampalam attended Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He later obtained a Juris Doctor degree from the Quinnipiac University School of Law. His legal training provided the foundation for his subsequent work in public policy, community development, and government service in Connecticut.

In April 2025, Arulampalam was invited to deliver the commencement address at the University of Connecticut School of Law for the Class of 2025, a recognition of his role as the leader of the city in which the law school is situated.

Career

Early Political Activity and 2018 State Treasurer Campaign

Arulampalam's first foray into electoral politics came in late 2017, when he began exploring a run for Connecticut State Treasurer. As a candidate, he emphasized his outsider status and newcomer perspective, positioning himself as a fresh voice in Connecticut Democratic politics.

In May 2018, Arulampalam withdrew from the state treasurer's race. Upon exiting the contest, he delivered a pointed message to his fellow Democrats about the need for greater diversity within the party's ranks and among its candidates for statewide office. He indicated that he intended to redirect his efforts toward other forms of public service and community work.

Hartford Land Bank

Following his departure from the 2018 treasurer's race, Arulampalam turned his attention to community development in Hartford. He became the chief executive officer of the Hartford Land Bank, a quasi-public agency established to address the problem of blighted, vacant, and tax-delinquent properties in the city. In that role, Arulampalam oversaw efforts to acquire, rehabilitate, and return distressed properties to productive use, with the goal of stabilizing neighborhoods and increasing homeownership opportunities in Hartford.

His work at the Hartford Land Bank became a significant part of his political platform when he later ran for mayor. Arulampalam pointed to the Land Bank's activities as evidence of his commitment to addressing Hartford's housing challenges and economic development needs.

2023 Mayoral Campaign

On January 5, 2023, Arulampalam formally announced his candidacy for mayor of Hartford, entering the race to succeed Luke Bronin, who did not seek re-election. His campaign focused on homeownership, small business support, downtown amenities, and faster delivery of city services.

Arulampalam secured the endorsement of the Hartford Democratic Party, a significant advantage in a city where Democrats hold a commanding voter registration edge. The campaign attracted attention for its fundraising success; reporting from American Kahani noted that Arulampalam took a wide lead in campaign donations in the mayoral race, reflecting broad support from both local donors and the South Asian American community nationally.

In August 2023, the field narrowed when only two candidates — Arulampalam and his opponent — qualified for the September Democratic primary, meeting the requisite thresholds for ballot access. Arulampalam won the September 2023 Democratic primary, positioning him as the heavy favorite in the general election.

In the November 2023 general election, Arulampalam declared victory, winning the mayoralty of Hartford. His election made him the first person of South Asian descent — and specifically Sri Lankan descent — to serve as mayor of Hartford.

Mayor of Hartford

Arulampalam was sworn in as mayor of Hartford on January 1, 2024, succeeding Luke Bronin, who had served in the role since 2015. Upon taking office, he outlined a long list of priorities for the city, including addressing housing, economic development, public safety, and city service delivery.

Administration and Appointments

In September 2025, Arulampalam appointed two administrators to lead Hartford's economic development and housing departments, filling key posts in his administration focused on the city's growth and affordability challenges. The appointments reflected the administration's stated emphasis on homeownership and economic opportunity as central policy goals.

Connecticut Sun and WNBA Dispute

In August 2025, Arulampalam launched a public campaign to keep the Connecticut Sun, a Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) franchise, in the Hartford area. Reports had surfaced that the WNBA planned to block a proposed $325 million deal related to the team. Arulampalam mobilized public support against the league's reported interference, calling for an end to what he characterized as WNBA obstruction of the arrangement. The effort drew attention to Arulampalam's willingness to engage in high-profile advocacy on behalf of the city's economic and cultural interests.

Immigration and ICE Parking Contract

In February 2026, Arulampalam requested the immediate termination of a contract between the Hartford Parking Authority and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The move signaled the administration's position on immigration enforcement in the city and generated coverage from regional media outlets. The request placed Arulampalam among a group of urban mayors who took public stances on federal immigration enforcement activities during this period.

Emergency Management

In February 2026, Arulampalam managed the city's response to a major snowstorm referred to in media coverage as the "Blizzard of '26." He stated that city crews were working "around the clock" to clear roads and maintain city services during the storm. In the days preceding the storm, Arulampalam and city officials held press conferences to prepare the community, warning residents of the severity of the incoming weather event.

Personal Life

Arulampalam is married to Liza Butler. The couple has five children and resides in Hartford, Connecticut. His family's presence in Hartford has been cited in media coverage as reflecting his personal investment in the city he leads.

Arulampalam's background as a member of the Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora has been a notable aspect of his public profile. Coverage from the CT Mirror profiled him as part of Connecticut's South Asian diaspora community, exploring how the experiences of immigrants from the region have shaped civic engagement in the state. His election as the first South Asian mayor of Hartford was covered by both mainstream Connecticut media and South Asian American outlets, including American Kahani, which tracked his campaign and fundraising progress.

Recognition

Arulampalam's election as mayor of Hartford in 2023 was noted as a historic milestone, making him the first person of South Asian and Sri Lankan descent to hold the office. The Fox 61 network produced a detailed profile of his journey from Bulawayo to Hartford in May 2025, highlighting the significance of his background in the context of the city's leadership history.

In April 2025, Arulampalam was selected to deliver the commencement address at the University of Connecticut School of Law for the Class of 2025. The invitation was announced by UConn Today, which described him as the mayor of the city in which the law school is located.

His campaign's fundraising success also drew attention. American Kahani reported that Arulampalam held a wide lead in campaign donations during the 2023 mayoral race, reflecting support from diverse donor bases. The Hartford Democratic Party's endorsement of his candidacy further underscored his standing within the local political establishment.