Patch Candidate Profile: Toni Boucher, Wilton First Selectman

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

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

Toni Boucher is running for election as First Selectman on the Republican ticket.

Education.

Toni Boucher has had an extensive business career while serving the State of CT and Town of Wilton as Board of Education Chairman, Selectman, State of Education Commissioner, State Representative and CT State Senator. Toni’s extensive private sector experience includes executive leadership roles in large businesses where she managed hundreds of employees, developed billion-dollar budgets and led new business development and marketing initiatives. Toni also founded several startups and is now helping UCONN Business School grow its entrepreneurship and student run investment programs. Toni has held series 7, 63 and 31 investment brokerage licenses and has a UCONN MBA. She also published a whitepaper on Ethics and Nonprofit. She is currently writing a personal biography and Wall Street story. As a Wilton elected official, Toni has been successful in helping to preserve and fund the Wier Farm Art Center, Ambler Farm, Wilton Library, Wilton Historical Society and Trackside Teen Center as well as many other local nonprofits. She also prevented a I-95 like highway being proposed through Wilton to Danbury; negotiated the widening of Route 7 to four lanes while preserving Orem’s Diner; required Eversource to bury new 345-volt lines underground through Wilton; and enabled the creation of the Norwalk River Valley Trail in state statute. In addition, Toni stopped the closure of The Danbury Rail line, helped to secure funding to construct Wilton Commons for seniors and countless other town and recreational improvements. She also sits on numerous nonprofit Boards as well as funds new programs and research at America’s leading University and Medical Research Centers. Georgetown University, Johns Hopkins University Medical Center, University of Connecticut, and Saint Michael’s College.

What is your occupation?

Toni Boucher served as Former Chief Deputy Leader in the Connecticut State Senate (10 years); Assistant Minority Leader, State House of Representatives (12 years); Wilton’s Board of Education Chairman; a Connecticut State Board of Education member; a member of the State’s Vo Tech Board of Education; Wilton Selectman. In 2018, Ms. Boucher explored a run for Governor of CT. She was recently nominated as Wilton First Selectman and will start her 4-year term on December 1, 2023, as she is running unopposed for this seat

Toni Boucher served on the Wilton Board of Selectmen and the town of Wilton’s Council on Public Facilities and Insurance Committees. She was also active in the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities.

Toni Boucher has also been a director of a leading investment company; held executive positions with Fortune 500 companies; co-founder of a marketing design agency; principal of a mainframe software maintenance and consulting company; co-authored a white paper on the Ethics and Nonprofits.

Toni is a philanthropist working on educational and research projects with Johns Hopkins University Medical Center, Georgetown University and St Michael's College. She also serves as a trustee on numerous nonprofits boards. She currently serves on the Board of the Friends of Sherwood Island State Park, on the Board of Voices of Hope, an Advisory Board member of the Norwalk River Valley Trail and the National Institute for Civil Discourse, Next Generation, a member of Wilton Garden Club and Wilton Woman ‘s Club.

Ms. Boucher earned a UCONN MBA and has held Series 7, 63 and 31 licenses

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

Toni is the mother of three children, 6 grandchildren, 2 cats and one beagle. Her hobbies include book author (one nearly complete, one in research phase, one outlined and one in concept phase) speech writing, cooking, baking, gardening, landscaping, pickleball, music

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

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

Toni Boucher served as Former Chief Deputy Leader in the Connecticut State Senate (10 years); Assistant Minority Leader, State House of Representatives (12 years); Wilton’s Board of Education Chairman; a Connecticut State Board of Education member; a member of the State’s Vo Tech Board of Education; Wilton Selectman. In 2018, Ms. Boucher explored a run for Governor of CT

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?

When Lynne Vanderslice announced her retirement as Wilton’s First Selectman, like so many, I was disappointed at the loss of her steady and sound stewardship of our town at the end of this year. Many residents have since asked me to consider running for this position. My response was that I believed my time in public service was over and that my 16 races and 14 wins was a good record to retire on. Since leaving political office, I have enjoyed actively encouraging and mentoring a younger generation of volunteers interested in local politics. As a result of introducing democrats and republicans to their respective Wilton town committees good outcomes have been achieved for both parties.

The many years of raising my family, serving, and working in Wilton have made me passionate about the town’s wellbeing. After much deliberation, I have decided to come out of retirement because of my concern at the increasing negative tenor of discourse within our community and nation. It is dismaying and I feel strongly that a more civil welcoming and inclusive climate is needed.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is

___, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Increased costs from revaluation of their residential properties in December and I intend to make sure this is done in an accurate and professional way with opportunities for Wilton residents to appeal where it is appropriate.

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

Water capacity expansion, affordable housing and 8-30G, Police Station building supervision, School building issues such as mold, Town recreational facilities and amenities, property taxes and collection rate, town boards cooperation and public civility- respectful dialogue

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

Toni Boucher has had an extensive business career while serving the State of CT and Town of Wilton as Board of Education Chairman, Selectman, State of Education Commissioner, State Representative and CT State Senator. Toni’s extensive private sector experience includes executive leadership roles in large businesses where she managed hundreds of employees, developed billion-dollar budgets and led new business development and marketing initiatives. Toni also founded several startups and is now helping UCONN Business School grow its entrepreneurship and student run investment programs.

As a Wilton elected official, Toni has been successful in helping to preserve and fund the Weir Farm Art Center, Ambler Farm, Wilton Library, Wilton Historical Society and Trackside Teen Center as well as many other local nonprofits. She also prevented a I-95 like highway being proposed through Wilton to Danbury; negotiated the widening of Route 7 to four lanes while preserving Orem’s Diner; required Eversource to bury new 345-volt lines underground through Wilton; and enabled the creation of the Norwalk River Valley Trail in state statute. In addition, Toni stopped the closure of The Danbury Rail line, helped to secure funding to construct Wilton Commons for seniors and countless other town and recreational improvements. She also sits on numerous nonprofit Boards as well as funds new programs and research at America’s leading University and Medical Research Centers. Georgetown University, Johns Hopkins University Medical Center, University of Connecticut, and Saint Michael’s College

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Don't take thing personally, even when attacked personally. Also, don't be afraid to fail. Pick yourself up and keep trying.

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

My race for First Selectman will focus on championing our great schools; great neighborhoods; great fiscal management; continuing the great legacy created by our First Selectman and the board of selectmen; and, supporting the dedicated employees serving our great town.”