Patch Candidate Profile: Kerri Rowland, Milford Mayor

MILFORD, CT — As the 2023 municipal elections get closer in Milford, there are plenty of races with candidates who are eager to serve in elected office.

Milford Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will publish candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Kerri Rowland, 53, is running for Mayor of Milford as a Democratic candidate.

Rowland has a B.A. in English and Secondary Education from Boston College. She has worked as the Registrar of Voters for Milford for nine years and was the Deputy Registrar of Milford from 2007 through 2014.

Rowland’s family includes her husband, Brian, and their children, Sean and Emily.

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

• 2005 Board of Aldermen
• 2007 Appointed Deputy Registrar
• 2014 Elected Registrar of Voters

Why are you seeking this office?

In my work as Registrar of Voters, I work with integrity, transparency, and honesty to fulfill my duties to the voters of Milford. I work in a bipartisan manor to ensure the trust and accuracy of Milford's Elections. I believe bringing these values to City Hall will only make us all strive to make Milford a place we can all be proud of.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___, and this is what I intend to do about it.

At the individual level, affordability is assuredly a pressing concern for so many of us, and we’ve shown that our Democratic team has been exceptional at addressing issues of affordability here in Milford. To continue to keep taxes low, we need to increase our grand list by focusing on the small businesses that are very literally the economic engines of our city. We also need to ensure large projects like the redevelopment of the CT Post Mall move forward.

At the macro level, the single most pressing issue facing Americans today is the future of our democracy itself. We must protect the integrity of our elections, and we must be willing to work together, across the aisle, to lift up future generations. Who leads matters. The values of our leaders matter. And the future of our nation matters.

We will decide this November if Milford is to remain a beacon of opportunity for all, or not. I believe we will continue to move forward, and as our mayor, I will bring people together to safeguard that progress. Milford has been on a winning streak under Democratic leadership, and we need to continue that momentum.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I’d rather not speak ill of someone, but obviously my opponent is a part of Trump’s Republican Party. When Donald Trump is the nominee for president again next year, our opponent Tony G will be supporting Donald Trump once again. I find that disturbing, so our values could not be more divergent. I would not sit by in continued silence as Donald Trump attacks women, reproductive freedom, judges, prosecutors, the FBI, and the IRS. I would not have sat by in silence as our Capitol was attacked on January 6th, and the difference between us here could not be more stark. True leaders show up and speak up. They fight for America. They defend democracy, and I will always do just that.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

Democrats have done a phenomenal job moving Milford forward, and I will continue that momentum. We’ve simply come too far to put all that progress at risk. From our schools to our sidewalks, and services, we need to fight for the values that make our community so great. Seniors and families will have an advocate in me, and as mayor, I will continue to attract new businesses to our city and invest in the redevelopment of our current underutilized properties like the CT Post Mall.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

The first skill of any mayor is to listen, and I’m a pretty good listener. Every mom is, but as an athlete, I’m also goal oriented. We’re going to lay out a vision for our future, and I’ll be working toward that every day. We’ve got to move the ball forward. I wasn’t given a business by my dad, and I've worked hard for every inch that we’ve accomplished—as a family, on the Board of Alderman, and as our Registrar of Voters. As our Registrar, I’ve safeguarded our vote, helped prosecute those who break the law, implemented changes in election laws, adapted to technology upgrades while maintaining ballot integrity, and have managed and trained hundreds of poll workers. As a department head, I draft our department's budget, and navigate negotiations with the Mayor’s office, Board of Finance, and the Board of Aldermen.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

The best advise I was ever given was to not back away from difficult situations and uncomfortable relationships. There was a disagreement between members of a youth sport league, and I felt disregarded an unheard because I had a different opinion then the majority of board members. When meeting one board member who vehemently disagreed with me at a school event, I made sure to say hello and shake his hand. I believe strongly that we can move past our disagreements and still work together for the betterment of Milford.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I just want the voters to know that I have loved meeting everyone who was home when I knocked on your door, and I hope that if we didn't connect personally during the campaign that you know my door is always open and my phone is always on. The best way for Milford to continue on the successes Democratic leadership has brought us for the last 12 years is for you to know I will keep this winning streak going, and I will always put your interest and the best interest of Milford's community first when making decisions.

Does your campaign have a website?

https://KerriforMayor.com.