Patch Candidate Profile: Jennifer Barahona, RTM District 6

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

Jennifer Barahona

How old will you be as of Election Day?

49

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

https://www.fairfielddemocrats...

What city or town do you live in?

Fairfield

What office are you seeking?

RTM

If you are running in a district, you can specify the district here.

District 6

Please give us your party affiliation.

Democrat

Education.

Columbia University, MSW, University of Connecticut, BS

What is your occupation?

Social Worker, Non-Profit CEO, 27 years experience

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

Husband, Joseph Barahona, high school Spanish teacher. Children Ava & William Barahona attending Fairfield Public Schools. Active in Scouts BSA Troop 88, FWHS Volleyball

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

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

I was appointed to the RTM in October 2022

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 am passionate about civic engagement and believe that municipal government is the least understood form of government yet our day to day lives are more impact by local government than state or federal. I care deeply about making Fairfield the best community for my family, friends, and neighbors.

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

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is cost of living and street safety. I want to help maximize local efficiency & transparency while also fighting to make our community as safe as possible.

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

As a social worker, I am trained to listen to all sides of an issue before making an informed decision. I am proud to be part of a party that encourages and supports independent thinking and doesn't vote straight party-line politics.

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

I am a newer incumbent, having been appointed in the fall of 2022 to fill a vacancy on the RTM. There is a steep learning curve to understand the nuances of local government. I look forward to continuing to learn and inform constituents to encourage broader community engagement.

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

My district has higher density zoning which can lead to issues such as traffic congestion and street safety concerns. Proper infrastructure must be in place to address issues of safety, preserve neighborhood character, and monitor environmental impacts like maintaining open/green spaces and preventing flooding. I recently helped successfully defeat a proposal to add a large apartment complex in a small neighborhood in my district. As a parent who walked her children to McKinley for 9 years, I know both the value of walkable neighborhood & schools, but also the safety issues that I encountered myself. I am concerned with lack of planning and transparency with our town administration and plan to continue to push for more bi-partisan cooperation and professionalism.

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

I am the CEO of non-profit organization, responsible for everything from financial management and fundraising to strategic planning and staff development. I am licensed clinical social worker by profession and am known for my level-headedness, integrity, compassion, relationship development, and ability to multi-task. For 6 years I was responsible for developing and implementing a community-wide recovery plan in Newtown following the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. In that capacity I had to work with many different municipal departments, including first responders, the school district, non-profit sector, communities of faith, and individuals and groups most impacted by the tragedy.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

The world is run by people who show up, so show up for things you care about.

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

I would like to contribute to getting back to a place of civic engagement and civil discourse. I am disheartened by the polarization that often exists and believe it is a primary reason for lack of engagement by many people in their government. I believe a healthy democracy relies on broad engagement of community and hope to contribute to the expansion of that in Fairfield.