Patch Candidate Profile: Ryan Hawley For Danbury City Council - At Large

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:
Ryan Hawley

What office are you seeking?
City Council - At Large

What town do you live in?
Danbury

Party Affiliation:
Democratic

Occupation:
Technology Project Management

Previous public office, appointive or elective:
Yes, I’ve been an elected official since 2019. I did two terms on the Danbury Zoning Commission and I currently serve as an At-Large City Council Member.

Why are you seeking this office?
I’m running because I believe local government should build spaces—literal and figurative—where everyone belongs. Since joining the City Council, I’ve taken a hands-on approach: building parks through projects like Third Space Danbury, personally constructing benches to expand public seating across the city, and helping position Danbury for Sustainable CT certification to unlock funding for community-driven projects.

I’m not here to run my mouth with zero results—I’m here to keep building. My focus is on action that strengthens neighborhoods, supports local artists and businesses, and brings people together. Danbury deserves leadership rooted in collaboration, creativity, and follow-through.

As I like to say, “If there isn’t a seat, build one.”

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:
The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is the cost of living.

We pay so much to live in Connecticut and Danbury, and residents deserve to see real value for every tax dollar spent. That means expanding our green spaces, supporting local businesses, and investing in projects that make Danbury more livable and affordable. By focusing on sustainability and creative funding strategies, we can stretch every dollar further and build a community where people can afford to live, work, and thrive.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
I’m already doing the job. With three terms of elected experience and a professional background in project management, I know how to turn plans into reality. Too often, people run for office with ideas that sound good on paper but have no feasible path for implementation. I’ve spent my time in office proving that results come from hands-on work, collaboration, and follow-through—not just talk.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
I’ll continue to address the need for expanded funding sources for the projects our community depends on—through Sustainable CT certification, creative partnerships, and rallying support for the CT Town and City Economic Development Act, which gives municipalities more tools to invest in themselves.

At the end of the day, the best way to campaign for the job you have is to do the damn job—and that’s exactly what I intend to keep doing.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
Every accomplishment I’ve had on the Council has been possible because of the support and partnership of the Alves Administration—our success is shared. I helped secure funding and launch Third Space Danbury’s pilot site in Ward 5 through ARPA funds approved by the Council. I chaired the ad hoc committee that renewed the lease for the city’s Mountainville property, currently leased by Happy Trails.

Beyond policy, I’ve taken a hands-on approach—building and donating five handcrafted benches now installed across Danbury. I also supported legislation creating the Danbury Sustainability Team, where I now serve as team lead, guiding the city toward Sustainable CT certification.

I’ve approached all this work with an open mind and a determination to learn on the ground. I plan to continue that mindset—and hopefully have the privilege to keep serving.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Keep showing up.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I began my journey in public office at 23, and I’ve spent most of my 20s serving my community—all as a volunteer. While many of my peers used their 20s to discover themselves and build their careers, I chose to dedicate mine to public service and give back to the city that shaped me.

We live in strange political times, and I hope people recognize the commitment it takes to lead, especially as a young person doing this work out of genuine care, not personal gain. I’ll continue showing up, listening, and doing the work. Public service has been in my family since the 1640s, and I intend to carry that legacy forward with pride and purpose.