North Haven Election 2025: Jennifer Graves Running For Board Of Finance

NORTH HAVEN, CT — The 2025 municipal election is heating up in North Haven with plenty of races on the ballot.

Voters will cast their ballots in the Nov. 4 election for the Board of Selectmen, Board of Education, Board of Finance, Town Clerk/Tax Collector and more.

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

Jennifer Graves is running for election to the North Haven Board of Finance as a Democrat.

Campaign Website
https://www.northhavendemocrat...

Occupation:

Special Education Teacher, 16 years, and Vice President of New Haven Federation of Teachers Local 933, 2 years

Family:
My fiancé and I have been together for 11 years. I have 2 teenage boys, one a junior at North Haven High School and one who graduated from NHHS 2 years ago. My family rescues chihuahuas from all over the country, and right now we have 4- Meatball, Cha Cha, Ruby and Beans.

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

Previous public office, appointive or elective:
No

Why are you seeking this office?
I want to ensure our town’s resources are used responsibly and thoughtfully to support our public schools, our public safety services, and our inclusive and vibrant community spaces.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:
The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is the responsible fiscal management of our town's resources to maintain strong public services while keeping taxes manageable and affordable. At the state level, I am involved with advocacy and legislative work to bring more state funding into communities, specifically advocating for the adjustment of Connecticut’s fiscal guardrails. On a local level, I plan to collaborate with other boards in town to analyze expenditures, contracts, and revenue streams to improve communication, transparency, and accountability.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
I come to the table with a no-fault problem solving mindset who is looking to work across party lines to make North Haven a welcoming, safe, and well maintained community. I’m interested in working with our state delegation to bring more revenue into North Haven so the fiscal burden doesn’t continue to fall on the shoulders of the hard working residents of North Haven.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
I am really focusing on transparency and public engagement, so people understand the budgeting process, have the space to address concerns and share ideas, and for North Haven to move to a more open participatory budgeting process.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
From negotiating contracts as a union leader, testifying for public education funding as an economic justice advocate, to assisting in the design and maintenance of my union’s yearly budget, I am confident that I have necessary skills to be a successful member of the Board of Finance.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Listen to people.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
This town has given my family so much and I am excited for the opportunity to repay the favor by serving my community in this capacity.