South Windsor Candidate Profile: Toby Lewis, Town Council

SOUTH WINDSOR, CT — The 2023 municipal election season is heating up in South Windsor, and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

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

Name: Toby Lewis

How old will you be as of Election Day? 64

What city or town do you live in? South Windsor

What office are you seeking? Town Council

Party affiliation: Republican

Education: Boston University, UMass,Kenyon College, no degree

What is your occupation? Community Care Liaison

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

Widower, daughter, son, four grandchildren

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No

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

Member of RTC, and several town committees

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 willing to serve, I’m bold enough to speak up to advocate for the citizens of the town.

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

High taxes, I intend to control spending and budget over reach.

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

My understanding of what a servant is, my ability to work with people of different backgrounds and experience, I am a trained negotiator. I operate a life practice of placing principles before personalities.

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

Every cost and expense in town has gone up.

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

I will advocate to change our meeting style to favor the input of local citizens first, instead of routinely placing their input at the end of the meeting.

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

I currently chair the Parks and Rec commission, am a leader in the WPCA, served as chair for the South Windsor Advisory Committee awarded Hartford Foundation funds to local nonprofits. I have three times served as Elder at my church. I have led companies and drive new business.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Say what you’ll do and do what you say: also change your go to’s to get to’s

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

I will speak truth, try to right injustice, and speak up for those who don’t/can’t speak for themselves.