Patch Candidate Profile: Loren Mahler, Milford Board of Education

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.

Loren Mahler, 44, is running for a seat on the Board of Education in Milford to represent the 5th District as a democrat candidate.

Mahler holds an undergraduate degree from Princeton and an MPP from Georgetown and has worked in strategic communications for 20 years. She has a husband, Matt, and a nine-year-old daughter.

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

Political Appointee, Dept. of Defense, Obama Administration, 2009-2012

Why are you seeking this office?

I believe all our kids deserve access to a high-quality education at a school where they feel welcome, safe and accepted. Milford has done very well in this area, and I would like to see that continue. I also believe that the broader community needs to better understand how their tax dollars are being spent on education. We all benefit from a strong school system, but people don’t always see the connection. This is especially important in a time of tight budgets, so I’d like to improve the communication among all parts of the community.

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

Instability. The past couple of years have been very challenging in so many ways, but families and kids have been through the wringer. They deserve to know that their schools are a place where they can find stability, and trust that their kids are being taken care of, even when the rest of the world is still trying to find its way. I intend to support policies and budget decisions that contribute to long-term stability for our kids.

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

I think there are two factors that distinguish some candidates from others. One is our values. I value inclusion and opportunity for all our kids across all our schools. The second is my belief that public education is absolutely fundamental to the strength of Milford. Any decision I make on the BOE will be driven by my strong belief that a good public school system always makes our community better, and that we best serve our kids when we prepare them for the future – not the past.

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

I’m am focused on continuing the progress of the past few years, while increasing community awareness and support for public education across all of Milford.

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

I’ve spent years working behind the scenes to craft complex policy, values-driven budgets and clear communication strategies for clients from all over. Working with colleagues on the BOE will require a similar ability to balance multiple priorities in order to support our kids and our schools.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Don’t forget who you work for. Behind every policy decision, there are real people with real lives.

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

I love talking to people! If you have questions or concerns, I want to hear them. We may not always agree, but we are all in this together. At the end of the day, we’re all still neighbors, and that’s what makes Milford special.

Does your campaign have a website?

https://milfordctdems.com.