Patch Candidate Profile: Adrian Bonenberger, RTM, District 3

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

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

Democrat Adrian Bonenberger, 46, of Branford, seeks reelection to the RTM, District 3.

Education.

B.A. Yale, English; M.S. Journalism, Columbia; M.F.A. Creative Writing, SUNY Stony Brook Southampton

What is your occupation?

Journalist, 9 years' experience

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

Married, one son. My wife is also a journalist (better than I am) and my son is studying for a degree in electrical engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in upstate New York.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

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

Yes, I'm running for reelection.

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?

It is a privilege to give back to the community that raised me, and do what I can at a local level to ensure that my neighbors' voices are heard by the town for future generations.

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

Climate change — I've been a longtime advocate for sustainable building, and for procuring state and town money for projects to mitigate the impact of sea rise. Much of the 3rd District is on the shore or within flooding distance.

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

My extensive travels across the world in the Army and as a journalist have given me a breadth of experiences and exposure to other cultures that give me perspective on challenges that few other Americans can claim.

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

I'm an incumbent.

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

Police foot patrols; I would like to improve relationships between Short Beach and Branford's police force and give police greater visibility into the patterns and habits of Short Beach residents. Comprehensive audit of town's Rules and Ordinances; we have laws on the books that are old, redundant, or unenforceable. I want to get rid of what we can so people aren't unintentionally breaking the law.

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

I did an effective job as a representative during my frist term and look forward to continuing to do so in the next.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

"What one [person] can do, another can do."

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

Always open to people reaching out for any reason — social, political, or professional. We tend to think of these things as belonging to different spheres but they're all part of one sphere: our Branford community.