Patch Candidate Profile: John Esposito III, 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.

Master plumber John Esposito III, 38, is running for re-election to the Danbury City Council-at-Large as a Republican. He is an Abbott Tech graduate, and has been married to Jessica for ten years. The couple have two children, John IV, 8-years-old, and Daphne, 6-years-old.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

Yes. Mayor Dean Esposito and councilman Fred Visconti are both distant cousins, and councilman Mike Esposito is my uncle. We come from a large family with deep roots in Danbury and many of us are committed to serving our community.

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

Yes, I have served four terms on the Danbury City Council.

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?

I’m seeking re-election to the city council because Danbury is my hometown and I want to continue being part of the prosperity our community has enjoyed for so long by keeping taxes low, crime down, and investing in our schools and city’s infrastructure. I’m proud to say our current administration, and Republican majority have delivered these promises and if re-elected we will continue to do so.

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

The cost of living. Inflation has impacted our community on every level. On the City government level we need to ensure that our residents get the best results for their tax dollars. My votes on the City Council will only support paving as many roads as possible, upgrading to water and sewer infrastructure, funding our police and fire departments so they can continue to grow and protect our community, and investing in our educational facilities and funding needs to keep up with our growing population while maintaining the fiscal responsibility we have demonstrated by keeping taxes low.

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

Experience, and accessibility to the residents. My lines of communication are always open to everyone. I manage my own social media and regularly engage with my constituents through phone, email and in person communication. I’ve served four terms on the City Council and I know how to do this job. Working in a blue collar profession, I’m in touch with the majority of the needs of our community.

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

Open space and outdoor recreational areas. We have great city parks and I think we should take a look to make sure we are getting the most out of these areas. Personally I think we can do more with our town park on Candlewood Lake.

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

I’ve worked on opposing a commercial development that would have had a negative impact on the Shelter Rock neighborhood. In addition the current excellent state of our city is a result of the current leadership of our republican team.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

My Grandfather, John Esposito Sr, once told me that in life “you do what you’re supposed to do”.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I consider myself to be a moderate individual. I’m very proud to represent all Danbury residents on the city council. I encourage my constituents to reach out to me anytime with their concerns and ideas.