Patch Candidate Profile: Holly Robinson, Danbury City Council

DANBURY, CT — The 2023 municipal election is heating up in Danbury and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

Danbury Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Lawyer Holly Robinson, 47, is running for a seat on the Danbury City Council representing the 2nd Ward as a Democrat. She holds a juris doctorate and L.L.M. in healthcare and pharmaceutical compliance. She and her spouse Lois, have two sons, Andrew (16) and Dylan (13).

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

Danbury Board of Education (2015-2017)

Why are you seeking this office?

I believe I have the outlook and energy to be valuable to our city's decision-making process. I'm motivated by Roberto Alves and his vision of a strong future for Danbury. My focus is on getting things done efficiently and effectively while making sure all consequences have been thoroughly vetted.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it.

City pride. I think that includes our concern about safe streets, good schools, reasonable taxes, etc. I've heard too many negative things from residents about the "direction that Danbury is heading" but no one is offering solutions. I think the right people in government is step one. Step two is being open and honest about what the current state is and how we can get to a brighter future state. Having leadership in Danbury that embraces community coalitions and active engagement in the process will help us move forward instead of regressing.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I am simply a working mom that is passionate about doing the right thing. I don't have a well-known name around Danbury and don't have tight relationships in the spheres of power within this city. However, I have a willingness to learn, consider others' ideas regardless of party politics and be open to feedback that may be missing from some current councilmembers.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

In a word, inaction. From viewing the lack of motion in City Council meetings, chronic absenteeism from meetings and seeing inaction in certain "easy wins" such as the Margerie Trail, it seems that the sitting councilmembers are not inspired to take big strides in responding to the requests or needs of our citizens.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

I strongly support Roberto Alves' messaging of honestly, accountability and transparency. Elected officials work for the voters. We need to be fully engaged and open with how the city is spending money and prioritizing infrastructure projects. We have so much to offer, we cannot be content with status quo any longer.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Besides raising two boys, I've had some successes in my career that I attribute to pulling together the right people, breaking down silos and working on identifying the best solution and getting it done. I moved from private legal practice to corporate law and into higher ed and healthcare, even creating and writing my own job description and pushing solution-finding projects forward. I enjoy working with people and finding their strengths to determine how they can best support the right solutions while making sure we're considering all options. This is how I've had success in various areas of my life thus far.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Use your ignorance to your advantage, you really never know every answer, perspective or lesson. Never stop learning and never stop being curious.