Patch Candidate Profile: Brian Farnen, Board Of Selectpersons

FAIRFIELD, CT — Election Day is approaching fast, and a number of key positions in Fairfield will be on the ballot, including Board of Selectman, Board of Education, Board of Finance, RTM and others.

To help readers make an informed decision on Nov. 7, Fairfield Patch has reached out to local candidates to share their views on various topics of importance in town.

Patch will post these candidate profiles over the next few weeks, so check back often to see the latest.

Name

Brian Farnen

How old will you be as of Election Day?

48

Does your campaign have a website? If so, include the URL here.

https://www.brendaforfairfield.com

What city or town do you live in?

Fairfield

What office are you seeking?

Board of Selectmen

Please give us your party affiliation.

Republican

Education.

Bachelor of Arts Degree, Masters of Business Administration (Finance) and Juris Doctorate from the University of Connecticut

What is your occupation?

Clean Energy Attorney and Adjunct Professor at Fairfield University and UCONN

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

Married to Kimberly Farnen, two children in Fairfield Public Schools— Ella (14), Chad (12), and Bubba (our dog)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No, one is enough

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

State Representative, 2020-2021; Representative Town Meeting, Member, 2011-2020; Former deputy majority leader (2016-2017); Appointed by Governor Jodi Rell and approved by the Legislature to the Connecticut Judicial Review Council, 2005-2009

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 love our Town and believe in the work First Selectwoman Kupchick has done over the last four years throughout the pandemic, cleaning up corruption and modernizing our Town. I will work as a member of the Board of Selectmen to build upon that work and support investing in our assets and infrastructure, public safety and amazing neighborhood schools.

On a personal level, I am a parent, coach, teacher, and proud resident of Fairfield with a strong track record of volunteering for our town because it has given so much to my family. I want to be a Selectman so I can give back to our community and ensure the next generation of Fairfielder’s have the same opportunities to enjoy our town.

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

Fairfield is a diverse community with many competing priorities and leadership is vital in prioritizing and investing appropriately while not increasing property taxes. While school redistricting may have been put off, it will return, and I fully support neighborhood schools. I will continue to advocate against the 8-30g state statute which has done damage to many of our neighborhoods, and I will support a fiscally prudent budget that continues to provide important services for residents and businesses.

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

I have a record of independent leadership and taking a thoughtful approach to issues. As a successful clean energy attorney, I believe in the importance of communication and transparency. When Brenda became First Selectwoman she made it a priority to ensure residents who wanted to participate and learn about what was going on in our Town had the ability to do so.

Unlike our opponents, I believe the Town of Fairfield is headed in a positive direction and I want to be part of the team leading us forward.

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

Brenda and I will stay positive, run on our records, and continue to lead Fairfield in a positive and honorable direction.

The work of the Kupchick administration these past four years is an essential part of why Fairfield is a great place to live, work, raise a family, and spend well-deserved retirement years, because of her commitment to bring honest and transparent government to Town Hall.

During our campaign we intend to focus on all of the positive attributes of Fairfield, supporting neighborhood schools, providing services at a reasonable tax rate while focusing on how we can make Fairfield even better for working families and seniors.

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

As your former State Representative during the early stages of COVID, I worked tirelessly for our community and advocated for small businesses, parents, children and seniors that were suffering. I am a global leader in the fight against climate change as the General Counsel of the CT Green Bank, been named best attorney in CT by the CT Law Tribune and have a record of bringing people together for a common goal.

Being from a working-class family growing up in the Naugatuck Valley before coming to Fairfield, I am proud to be the first generation that graduated from college and then went on to earn both my law degree and MBA in 3 ½ years while working.

These experiences in both the private and public sector provide me with a well-rounded perspective that I look forward to putting to use for the people of Fairfield.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

My amazing father and mother always told me to work hard, be modest and family first.

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

I will be a principled, independent voice that represents our community - not a political party.
The increased polarization we see in our country and at times in Fairfield needs to stop. We
are one country, one community. I will work to bring people together, not further divide us.