Meriden Election 2025: Diadette Hernandez Running For City Council

MERIDEN, CT — The 2025 municipal election is heating up in Meriden with plenty of races on the ballot.

Voters will cast their ballots in the Nov. 4 election for the position of mayor, along with seats on the City Council and Board of Education.

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

Diadette Hernandez is running for election to the Meriden City Council as a Democrat.

What office are you seeking?
City Council Area 2

What town do you live in?
Meriden

Occupation:

Nurse Practitioner

Family:
Yes, my partner Jeremy Salinas have been together for 21 years. We enjoy traveling, dancing, and most importantly making memories as a family. I have two loving and amazing sons and a beautiful daughter.

Jayden is 21 who exploring his horizons, avid traveler, fitness enthusiast and currently working on his personal training certificate. My youngest son Daijen is 18 and enrolled at UConn Waterbury, Majoring in Chemistry with an emphasis in Pre-med. My daughter Miah is 14 a Freshman at Platt High School, avid Artist, loves Music, theater, and wrestling.

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

Previous public office, appointive or elective:
No

Why are you seeking this office?
While I was born in Puerto Rico, I grew up and was raised in Meriden. This has been my home for most of my life, excluding the time I went away for college. I came back and settled to raise my family here. The diversity and acceptance of this city has been our greatest asset. My late father Pedro loved Politics and he always reminded me of how important it was to give back to the community you live in and to leave a legacy of greatness behind. That when greatness is given unto you, you don’t keep it, you share it and you give back. I want nothing more than to give back to my city who has allowed me to thrive. I want to see it succeed, ensure that it endures through winds and high water. I want to see it blossom to its fullest potential economically to help reduce the burden on tax payers. Provide the best resources for our children’s education, safe place for our aging population and continue to support the efforts in keeping our city safe.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:
Affordability :
Meriden is a working class city and with the cost of living, the taxes, the Millrates it has put really put a burden on the people. My fear is with the federal cuts and how it will disproportionately affect us here in Meriden. I plan to work closely with building and development. It seems that there has been little made in the redevelopment of our city center of town. The mall is a sore eye, the center of town could use some life, children need creative outlets outside of school. Elderly need a place to socialize and have safe places.

We are at the center of the state, full of culture and diversity yet our city isn’t thriving and we need it to thrive so we can offset the cost from the people. So working with city development and reduction of tax burden is something I will be working on.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
First and foremost I’m a Latina, a wife, daughter, and nurse. I speak three different languages, Spanish, English, and Portuguese. I dedicated my life to the service of humanity and currently work at Yale Center of Infectious Diseases where I’m afforded the opportunity to take care of some of the most vulnerable population. My work ethic is unparalleled. These last couple of years I worked tirelessly for the schools my children attended. I’ve stood up over and over for our underserved and vulnerable population of our city as I am relentless in ensuring we are all included, loved, and accepted regardless of the color of their skin or who they love. Everyone’s safety is a priority to me.
I don’t know much of my opponent other than he is an older white gentleman that helped run the neighborhood Watch. I don’t know what he stands other than he recently turned Republican siding with this current administration who is actively attacking the Latino and LGTBQ community, gutting our health care, education especially to our special needs, and removing food benefit into children, fight to eliminate women’s reproductive rights. I don’t know if I respect that. Those views don’t seem to meet the interest of our population here in Meriden. Where we are mixed population, with many Latinos and vulnerable population with many needs.

Since the party has refused to sit in a for debate I can’t say much about my opponent. I can only vouch what I will bring to the table.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
Affordable housing, public safety, healthcare accessibility, food and housing disparities. Parks and safe places for our children and elderly. As a community we have our work to do and I’m ready and willing to do it.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
As a nurse practitioner most of my jobs I have had have been in the development of major projects or shift changes. I organized an entire division of mid-level provider from start to finish at Yale New Haven Hosptial interventional radiology department. I also had the privilege to helped organize and start multiple school based health at an inner city. I’ve organized and lead out was President in parent teacher groups. I’m currently the sitting Vice chairs for Girl Inc in Meriden, to ensure young women thrive in our community The Vice Chair for Meriden pride as an Ally to empower this community to keep standing tall and be unapologetically themselves. I sat in small committee leading efforts to improve the community and ensure their safety for our everyone in our community.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Remember it’s the small steps that lead to victory, so never give up!

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I want my neighbors to know that I will stand by them and for them. I will work my hardest to ensure the best for you and for your families to have the highest quality of life. Let’s build a community of love and kindness. One that builds each other and not knock each other down. All our lives have a beautiful meaning and I want to see each and everyone live it to it’s fullest potential because if your lives are living to its fullest then our city will only benefits for the seeds it’s planted. More than anything I want to thank my city for letting me be a part of the solution. My family and friends for all your love and support. Los Amo!