Patch Candidate Profile: Holly Robinson For Danbury City Council - 2nd Ward

DANBURY, CT — Election Day on Nov. 4 is fast approaching, and there are a number of key races on the ballot.

Patch reached out to candidates for office to get more information on their campaigns and the issues that are facing their towns.

Candidate's Name:
Holly Robinson

What office are you seeking?
Danbury City Council - 2nd Ward

What town do you live in?
Danbury

Campaign Website

Party Affiliation:
Democrat

Occupation:
Attorney (20+ years)

Family:
Married to my partner for 25 years and mom to two great teenage sons, ages 15 and 18 and a high-energy rescue dog.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
N/A

Previous public office, appointive or elective:
I am running as an incumbent - currently in my first term as 2nd Ward City Councilwoman. Several years ago, I served as a member of the Danbury Board of Education

Why are you seeking this office?
I’m running because I see this as a way to continue giving back. Volunteering has always been important to me, and serving on city council feels like a meaningful extension of that. I believe in showing up for my community when I can—and right now, I can. In my day job, I focus on solving problems with practical, compliant, and people-centered solutions. I think that approach, combined with my life experience and collaborative style, can really benefit Danbury. I want to advocate for my neighbors in our ward and help guide smart, long-term decisions that support the whole city.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:
Affordability. I do think the single most pressing issue facing the citizens in Danbury is maintaining a solid quality of life while keeping Danbury affordable. Unless you're extremely wealthy, every dollar matters - and right now, many families are stretched thin. People want solid schools, safe neighborhoods, and reliable infrastructure, but they also need to know their tax dollars are being spent wisely. There’s no simple fix, but I intend to approach every decision with care, always asking: is this the best outcome for the people of Danbury? I’ll continue to advocate for thoughtful, balanced solutions and keep an open mind as we work together to build a strong future for our community.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
I don't want to label other candidates, but I do believe I bring a thoughtful and collaborative approach to the position. I make it a point to gather all the facts and listen to people who know more than I do—because good decisions come from good information. I tend to (or try to) stay calm under pressure and focus on practical solutions rather than political noise. I’m not interested in picking fights or getting into drama, I’m here to work with others. That said, I’m not afraid to go against the grain if I believe it’s the right thing for the people of Danbury.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
One of the issues I care deeply about is education and I want to continue the work we've barely started. Before law school, I was a high school teacher, and I’m also the child of a lifelong educator and administrator, so this is personal for me. I understand a lot about what teachers and students face, and I also recognize there’s still plenty I need to learn. In my first term, I proposed creating a City/Public School ad hoc committee to foster collaboration between city leadership and our school district. The goal was to move past the blame game and open up real, productive conversations. I’m proud of the progress we made - especially the strong communication now happening between the two finance departments around budgets and transparency. But there’s still more to do. I look forward to continuing the respectful and solution-focused work with Dr. Casimiro and her team to make sure our students get the support they deserve.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
One accomplishment I’m especially proud of is helping to open the lines of communication between the school district and City Hall. I initiated the creation of a City/Public School ad hoc committee to encourage collaboration and move beyond the usual one-year-at-a-time budget conversations. That effort has already led to stronger coordination between the two finance departments, which is a great step toward more strategic, long-term planning for our schools and city.

I’m also proud to serve as Chair of the Margerie Reservoir Trail Committee. This project had been stalled for years, but we’ve made real progress by taking a thoughtful, step-by-step approach to ensure the trail is developed in a way that truly benefits Danbury. It’s a great example of how I approach public service: with persistence, collaboration, and a focus on what makes the most sense for our community. You can learn more about the project here.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
"Complaining is easy. Don't do easy. Do the harder things. Don't waste energy simply pointing out problems - come with solutions and an open mind to hear others' solutions." (attributed to my mom)

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I believe in knowing and sticking to your values. I'd like to think that I focus on constantly learning, being authentic and having integrity. Even if I've encountered folks that may disagree with how I live my values - I strive to use them every day in my work representing the people of Danbury.