CT Patch Candidate Profile: Doug Kniffin For RTM

FAIRFIELD, CT — The 2025 election is heating up in Connecticut and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

Connecticut Patch asked local candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Candidate's Name:
Doug Kniffin

What office are you seeking?
RTM for District 1

What town do you live in?
Southport

Campaign Website
https://www.fairfielddemocrats...

Party Affiliation:
Democrat

Occupation:
I am now retired from a diverse career, having worked in government, finance, technology, utilities, and publishing.

Family:
I’ve been happily married to Irene for 37 years. We have three successful adult children who we see as often as we can. We also have two dogs – one we are raising as a future Fidelco Guide Dog who will be assigned to a blind person.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
No

Previous public office, appointive or elective:
Yes – Budget Director and Chief Administrator for Kitsap County government in Washington. The position runs the county government’s operations and financials.

Why are you seeking this office?
Being an RTM member will be my way of giving back to a community I love. I want to keep Fairfield strong and secure in the face of all of the changes the country is facing. Because of my background in government and business, I can see many opportunities for improvement in Fairfield’s operations and finances. I believe Fairfield needs more collaboration, and I believe good government needs more people who work across party lines.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:
Fairfield’s most pressing issue is managing our town’s spending. Addressing this issue will require the clear thinking:
1) I will take an energetic, analytical, and independent approach to all proposals to spend the town’s money.
2) I will challenge the status quo, and use my management skills to find efficient ways to achieve the needed results.
3) I will bring a collaborative and inclusive work ethic to gaining resolution of our town’s challenges – more minds are better than one.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
My style is thoughtful and inclusive. I’ll listen to understand, and not act until all sides are heard. I will energetically represent and address my District 1 neighbors’ needs, and work with others to keep the town sustainable and affordable.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
I am having serious discussions about:
1) Where the town spends the tax money it collects from all of us.
2) Ways to counter the state’s 830G overrides of Fairfield’s zoning.
3) How to ease local traffic congestion.
4) What long term planning is needed to keep Fairfield a great place to live.
On all of these issues, I will work to represent my neighbors in District 1 and pursue what is best for our town of Fairfield.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
Here are several accomplishments that required teamwork, effective planning, and a variety of strong managerial skills:
1) Ran the Kitsap County government in western Washington.
2) Implemented a $120 million technology project for all of Time Inc.
3) Improved disaster recovery and business resiliency at Santa Energy.
4) Installed new technologies at both Aquarion Water and Regional Water that lowered operating costs.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
I can offer three pieces of advice that have guided me:
a) Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire, because while you are postponing, life speeds by.
b) When the student is ready, the teacher will appear: Always be ready to learn something new.
c) Finish what you start: If you commit to something, see it through.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
This is who you are voting for:
My style is collaborative – I work to hear all ideas, organize teams, and make smart decisions.
I am highly analytical, and I use financial data to drive decisions and ensure efficiency.
I’m an avid do-it-yourselfer. I love fixing things that others might toss away, and am always working on a home or car project.

Personally, I have a surplus of energy: I’ve been a lifelong runner, and row and lift weights regularly. I believe that our town needs more of my kind of teamwork and “get it done” spirit, and those who know me know that I will devote all of the effort that’s needed to keep the town of Fairfield as special as it is.