Patch Candidate Profile: Ryan Hawley, Danbury City Council-At-Large

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.

Ryan Hawley, 28, is running for City Council-At-Large as a Democrat/Working Families candidate. He has a B.A. degree in psychology from Western Connecticut State University, and has worked in the financial services industry for four years.

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

Mother: Tiina Hawley
Father: John Hawley Jr.
Brother: John Hawley III
Sisters: Kristin Holland & Anna Hawley
Brother In Law: Matthew Holland
Sister in law: Sharon Hawley
5 Niblings: Kailey, John (4th), Norah, Evelyn, Leena

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

Mother is VP of Danbury Nurses Union
Brother is an Officer in the Navy stationed out in Guam.

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

Yes. I’ve been on the Zoning Commission since 2019.

Why are you seeking this office?

I want to represent my community in a new way. I don’t see many people like me in elected office and I am a firm believer in the power of local (volunteer) government. We all need a seat at the table to make this experiment of self governance work effectively for all stakeholders involved. My generation will be left with the consequences of those currently in power.

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

OUR ROADS.
We need to take care of our infrastructure by getting creative with the way we approach our problem solving. I plan to work with the Alves Administration to get a public list posted each quarter showing what roads are being paved/repaired with a deadline attached.

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

I’m 28 and a proudly openly gay cisgender man.
Can’t say that about any of the other candidates running for City Council at large.

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

I want to see Danbury have a similar program to what Bethel has in terms of Residential Composting funded by the municipality.

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

I’ve been on Zoning since 2019 and have been part of many crucial decisions that have and will continue to impact the community at large for years to come.

I know what it takes to win, and I’m ready to get to work to make sure our City has sustainable governance utilizing our greatest asset - our diversity.

United. Not Divided.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Use what you have.