Patch Candidate Profile: Richard O'Connor, Shelton Board Of Education

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

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

Republican Richard O'Connor, 43, is a Shelton resident running for the Board of Education.

Education

BS in Finance from Fairfield University in 2002; MBA from Monmouth University in 2007.

What is your occupation?

Associate Director, Content, at FactSet Research Systems, Norwalk.

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

Married for 18 years to Staci; we have two daughters: a 6th grader at Perry Hill School and a 3rd grader at Booth Hill School.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

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

No.

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 want to make a positive impact on the school community by helping to create an environment where our children can grow and succeed in the system both now and in the future.

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

Appropriation of funding. Our Mayor is dedicated to funding education and does so fairly each and every fiscal year. If elected to the Board of Education, I will make sure that each dollar received is utilized and budgeted wisely on programs that will benefit the youth in our school system.

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

I am energetic and passionate about our city's education system, and I want to make sure that my children are afforded the proper resources to receive the best education possible.

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

N/A

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

Keeping the lines of communication open between the Board of Education and the Board of Aldermen.

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

I was recently awarded a steward's award at FactSet honoring our late president as "What We Aspire To". This was voted on by my peers and colleagues and is indicative of the type of person I am. I am honest, hard-working, and care about others and I will do that for the children of Shelton if I am fortunate enough to be elected to the Board of Education.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Always be yourself and never pretend to be someone that you are not.

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

Prior to coming to Shelton five years ago, I lived in Stratford for 13 years. The reason I moved to Shelton was because of the excellent education system in place. I want to enhance it and build on its foundation.