Patch Candidate Profile: Kristi Sogofsky​, Easton Board of Selectmen

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

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

Kristi Sogofsky, 45, is running for re-election to the Easton Board of Selectmen as a Republican.

Education.

B.A. from Syracuse University in Broadcast Journalism and Psychology

What is your occupation?

Director of Communications for CT REALTORS, the largest trade association in the state. I have been with the association for nearly six years. Prior to that, I was a local TV anchor and reporter for nearly 20 years including 15 years at News 12 Connecticut.

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

My husband and I have two children, a son in 7th grade and a daughter in 6th.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

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

I was first appointed to the Board of Selectmen to fill a vacancy in 2018. I was elected that fall in a special election and re-elected in 2019 and 2021. Prior to joining the Board of Selectmen, I served on the Library Board of Trustees.

Why are you seeking this office?

The heart of any small town is its sense of community. We know our neighbors’ names. We rally together in times of need. We celebrate each other’s successes. I am seeking re-election to the Board of Selectmen so I can continue to be your ally in making our community stronger as a whole.

Municipal elections are truly important to our town. This is where we elect the people who set the priorities for our community, the people who make the decisions that determine our tax rate and the people who impact the direction of our schools. There is something special about the power of local governance.

I hope those voting in our municipal election this November realize that Easton could be doing much better. We have seen cultural and political forces divide our town, decorum at public meetings diminish and ongoing matters go months without any action. In the past several years, I have been tested in my role as a lack of transparency and proactive communication have prevented us from addressing problems facing residents.

We cannot continue to act in our silos. We must unite for the shared common good of Easton and its future. I pride myself on being able to work with anyone, at any time, for the betterment of the Easton community. It’s a duty and responsibility I take very seriously.

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

Local control is the basis on which our community thrives. It means that we, the people who live in this town, have a say in the decisions that shape our lives. Our needs and values are best understood and addressed right here at home. I understand and value that, and pledge to work to ensure our town’s future remains in our hands and not in the hands of lawmakers and leaders on the state level.

I don’t consider myself an alarmist but right now Easton is in a precarious situation. We face pressure on our zoning, which risks permanently changing the character of our town and the sensitive watershed that provides clean drinking water to much of Fairfield County. We need to be vigilant to ensure the unique nature of our town remains.

Easton needs leaders dedicated to preservation. Not just in words but in actions. Easton voters have repeatedly used their voice and their vote to preserve our town land and water resources. Those voices and votes must drive town decisions on all levels. They can’t be questioned or undermined in pursuit of personal or party agendas.

As selectman, I called for town leadership to take a much more proactive stance on issues that may not fall under our jurisdiction but definitely impact the community and residents. We need to carefully monitor actions and not wait for others to draw attention to important matters such as potential contamination or zoning violations.

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

Easton deserves leaders with experience, who are entrenched in this community. I have lived in town for nearly 13 years, serving in town positions for more than half that time. I am involved with the schools, youth athletics, scouts and my church, all in Easton. I am very much an active member of our community who isn't afraid to roll up her sleeves to help whenever needed. Experience and community involvement matter. They provide understanding and insight to help guide decisions.

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

Communication from our town leaders is key but only when the information being relayed is factual.

While we receive countless updates on some issues, other issues are barely mentioned and only
addressed when brought up during a public meeting. We can’t be selective, or dismissive, of the difficult issues or questions. My commitment is to increase the quality of communication coming from our Town Hall, not just the quantity.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Be authentic.