Scenes from Stamford BOE Member Jerry Pia's Mayoral Run Announcement

Stamford Board of Education member and community fixture Jerry Pia announced Thursday evening his intention to run for mayor on the Republican ticket.

More than 250 people came to contribute to Pia's campaign at the announcement and fundraising event held in Stamford's historic Palace Theater.

Pia said his strengths lie in his work with Stamford's community centers founding the Jackie Robinson baseball league, his 22 years on the Board of Education, the eight years he served on the board of Representatives and serving as the Republican Town Committee Chairman.

"I have a broad base of activities I've been involved in," Pia said. "I love doing them and I love working in the community... there's a myriad of problems that we all need to come together to solve."