CT Patch Candidate Profile: Tom McCarthy 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:
Tom McCarthy

What office are you seeking?
RTM District 7

What town do you live in?
Fairfield

Campaign Website
https://www.fairfieldrtc.com/2025-rtm-candidates

Party Affiliation:
Republican

Occupation:
Business Executive for a fortune 100 Corporation with 43 years of experience (new retired)

Family:
I have two adult daughters and will have 4 grandchildren (by the time this appears in print). My wife of 40 years passed away early this year.

Previous public office, appointive or elective:
Yes. I have served for 4 terms on the RTM. Subsequently I served as Deputy Chair on the Joint Retirement Investment Board, and later as a Commissioner with the Water Pollution Control Authority.

Why are you seeking this office?
I have concerns about the manner in which business has been conducted in recent years on the RTM especially as it relates to the town budget and capital investments. Thoughtful decision making is predicated upon thorough analysis and financial rigor. I want to restore that culture to the RTM.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:
Affordability. We have seen significant tax increases resulting from the past two budgets. The current administration not been judicious about spending taxpayer dollars. Moreover, they have not followed their own rules. I will be judicious about spending. I will demand the facts and the numbers which supports the facts. I will make reasonable and informed decisions. I will do my best to restore confidence in town government.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
I've been around for I while and I do have a fair degree of experience, but equally as important I have an appreciation for all that I don't know.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
Local decision making for one! I'm concerned when Hartford mandates to the municipalities "The way it's going to be" in areas such as P&Z and School Redistricting. That is not only a bad practice, but as citizens of a free country that ought to serve a wakeup call.
Investment in town schools and infrastructure with the long term in mind. Unfortunately to often in the past we have seen mismanagement as the result of short-term thinking.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
As past majority leader on the RTM I have navigated much of the budget discussion and my budget analysis became the basis for many a final decision. As chair of senior tax relief I restructured the formulaic elements of the program to make it self- adjusting. As WPCA commissioner I assisted with that budget.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Little things are not little things.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
People who know me will tell you that I'm fair minded, objecting, and an easy person with whom to work.