CT Patch Candidate Profile: Michelle Lapine McCabe 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:
Michelle Lapine McCabe

What office are you seeking?
Representative Town Meeting -- District 4 Representative

What town do you live in?
Fairfield

Party Affiliation:
Democrat

Occupation:
Executive Director of Connecticut Main Street Center, a statewide nonprofit; I have over 20 years nonprofit experience.

Family:
I have three amazing sons -- 23, 21, and 19 -- who all graduated from Fairfield Public Schools.

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

Previous public office, appointive or elective:
I have served on the RTM for three years. First year I was appointed to fill a vacancy; I was elected to serve a full term in 2022.

Why are you seeking this office?
I am seeking re-election because I want to make a difference by serving the Town I love. I particularly enjoy the RTM because we have the opportunity to get to know the neighbors in our district and bring their concerns to the Town; we get to consider passing new ordinances that can continue to support Fairfield's future in a positive way; and we are privileged to hear from our peers what specific challenges might be faced by residents in their particular districts.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:
Addressing traffic and road safety. Traffic and road safety was a priority of late First Selectman Bill Gerber and continues to be for First Selectman Christine Vitale. I'm grateful that the most pressing issue in my district is a top concern of this Administration and know that the RTM is a critical partner of the Traffic Authority, the Fairfield Police Department, the Town's Public Works Department and others charged with mitigating traffic and road safety issues, enhancing their work through ordinance change and approving funds and projects. I'm proud of the road safety measures we passed this last term and, if re-elected, look forward to supporting and co-sponsoring more Safe Street and traffic calming initiatives.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
I have experience on the RTM, particularly in my role as Vice Chair of the Legislation and Administration Committee. L&A fulfills the key function of considering new ordinances before they reach the full RTM for voting and my work on this Committee offers a level of expertise that is unique to some of the other candidates running for office in D4. In addition, because of the work I have done outside of public service particularly at the statewide level, I am familiar with public policy initiatives throughout Connecticut and find that I am able to offer a useful lens in assessing changes to Town government that are within the purview of the RTM.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
What I enjoy most about campaigning are the conversations I have at the doors with the residents of D4. The information and concerns they share with me is what informs the issues that I can bring to the RTM to address next term, particularly ensuring smart planning, affordability for all residents, and increased walkabilty and vibrancy.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
In both my roles in public service and leading a statewide nonprofit, I have shown that I listen to concerns expressed by people's daily experience and I am able to translate those concerns into action that addresses problems. I have demonstrated throughout my career a focus on collaboration across sectors and parties. I am proud that I co-sponsored two bipartisan ordinance changes last term and value building consensus to get things accomplished.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Leave the world a better place than you found it.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I would like voters to know that what I value most about serving on the RTM is hearing from the people who live here and finding ways that I can help. My positions are informed by them.