Paul K. Pernerewski Jr.

Paul K. Pernerewski, Jr. serves as the 47th Mayor of Waterbury, Connecticut, having taken office in December 2023 following a narrow victory over local businesswoman Dawn Maiorano in the November 2023 mayoral election. Born and raised in Waterbury, he grew up as the oldest of five children in the Town Plot neighborhood. He attended Holy Cross High School in Waterbury before earning his undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut and his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center. He and his wife Kim have raised their three sons in Waterbury.

Pernerewski worked as an attorney for thirty-seven years, beginning his legal career as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Connecticut and later serving as General Counsel for the Connecticut Airport Authority. Concurrently, he taught Business Law at Naugatuck Valley Community College for ten years. In 2001, he was appointed to Waterbury's Board of Aldermen by then-Mayor Michael Jarjura and was subsequently re-elected by residents in multiple elections. He served as President of the Board of Aldermen from 2009 until his election as mayor in 2023, accumulating over 21 years of service on the board.

During his tenure on the Board of Aldermen, Pernerewski was involved in efforts to scrutinize city budgets and fiscal management, a period during which Waterbury's bond rating improved from junk bond status to AA- with a positive economic outlook. As mayor, his stated priorities include continuing the city's economic growth, addressing educational needs, and working with stakeholders to reduce crime.