Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling Announces He Will Not Seek Reelection

NORWALK, CT — Mayor Harry Rilling announced Monday he will not seek reelection in November after leading the city of Norwalk for more than a decade.

In a lengthy statement, Rilling said it has been "the honor of [his] lifetime" to serve as Norwalk's mayor over the past 12 years.

"While this was a very difficult decision for me, after much consideration I have decided that this will be my last term as mayor as I'd like to spend more time with my family," Rilling said in a statement. "I am unbelievably proud of all that we've accomplished together and want to especially thank the incredible residents of Norwalk for instilling their trust in me over these six terms and working with my team on our shared vision of improving our beloved city."

Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, who has worked closely with Rilling for many years, wished his colleague well in his retirement, which Duff noted was well-earned.

"After over 50 years of service to Norwalk, including more than a decade as mayor, Harry Rilling has certainly earned his retirement," Duff said in a statement, "but that doesn’t make it any easier to see him go. After an entire career in law enforcement, Harry went on to become a steadfast leader who prioritized investing in Norwalk's future, whether through supporting education, revitalizing the downtown area or addressing climate change. It's hard to imagine a more dedicated leader or a better partner. I wish him the best in this well-deserved retirement."

In a separate statement released Monday afternoon, Attorney General William Tong said Rilling has been a great mayor for the city of Norwalk, and an even better friend to all.

"I would not be attorney general without his guidance and support over all these years," Tong said. "He has shown that it's possible to be a strong law enforcement leader and to work hard to protect public safety while at the same time empowering people in his city, promoting equity and lifting up all communities. He has turned Norwalk into a key economic engine in our state that leads the way in growth and a shared prosperity. I wish him and [his wife] Lucia the very best as they embark on the next chapter in their lives, but I know I'll continue to work with him in the years ahead."

Rilling said he and his team will "continue to work as hard as ever" during the remainder of his term.

"Following my retirement," Rilling said, "I plan to continue to support the important work of improving our city in any capacity I can, whether that's by supporting the new mayor, whomever that may be, or otherwise."

Rilling said his administration had "accomplished a lot for the betterment of [the] community" over the past 12 years thanks to his "incredible team," as well as local, state and federal partners.

He also noted he is most proud of Norwalk's strong sense of community.

"We pride ourselves on being one of the most diverse communities in the state because we know that diversity is one of our greatest strengths," Rilling said. "The human fabric that makes up our community is what makes our city a very special place, and being mayor has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life."

Rilling also thanked his wife, Lucia, for all her support during his journey as mayor.

"I couldn't have done it without her," Rilling said. "Our partnership and her shared love for our city and devotion to our community inspires me every day."

A champion for education, Rilling took investments in students, schools and facility upgrades to new heights, according to the city.

Over the course of his tenure, he increased the Board of Education's operating budget by approximately $78 million, a 50 percent increase from when he came into office.

He also prioritized the city's first school construction projects in decades, culminating in much-needed renovations to Ponus Ridge and Jefferson Elementary schools, as well as a brand new, state-of-the-art Cranbury Elementary School, the city's first completely new school in over 50 years.

The city is also in the process of building a new Norwalk High School and a new South Norwalk neighborhood school, the latter of which will be SoNo's first neighborhood school in over 40 years, providing a much-deserved community school after decades of students having to travel to and from other schools across Norwalk, according to the city.

City officials also noted Rilling's administration has worked tirelessly to mitigate the risks of climate change by putting Norwalk on a fast track to becoming the greenest city in Connecticut.

In an effort to reduce traffic congestion and corresponding CO2 emissions, Rilling dramatically increased walkability and connectivity by installing record levels of new sidewalks and bike lanes, according to the city.

As a leader of a coastal community, he prioritized investments in sustainable and resilient infrastructure in neighborhoods and at parks and beaches to mitigate the risks of flooding.

He also significantly expanded Norwalk's tree canopy to help capture carbon, as well as mitigate flooding, rising temperatures, and threats to local clean air and water quality, according to the city.

Rilling has also been committed to revitalizing Norwalk's downtown areas to support the business community and bring the city to new levels as an attractive destination to live, work and play. He is currently delivering on his promise of revitalizing the Wall Street downtown area after decades of inaction and stalling on what was once a vibrant urban corridor ahead of the 1955 flood, according to the city.

City officials further noted Rilling has also made addressing issues of equity, access and inclusion a centerpiece of his administration. During his tenure, the city reinvested in its Fair Rent Office with new initiatives to promote housing stability and established an Affordable Housing Committee to develop an Affordable Housing Plan.

Following the economic hardships attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, Rilling created the Community Resource Hub, which directly connects residents with community providers to help meet their needs, including accessing a food pantry, clothing, employment resources and health-related support.

This program, which provides services in English, Spanish and Haitian-Creole, was honored with a 2024 Municipal Excellence Award, recognizing its immense impact in improving the community's overall well-being, according to the city.

Under his leadership, the city has also been recognized for delivering a high quality of life to residents. In 2023, Fortune Magazine named Norwalk the 29th best city in the nation to live in and emphasized its high-quality education system and vast resources for seniors.

In 2023 and 2024, the city of Norwalk was ranked among the top 100 best places to live in the U.S. by livability.com, which highlighted its attractive local amenities and thriving economy, according to the city.

A few months ago, the city was also included on WalletHub's newly released list of "Best Small Cities in America," which examines a city's education, health, quality of life, economic health and affordability.

The city's economic health can be attributed in large part to Rilling's focus on ensuring well-funded pensions and a healthy rainy day fund, which consistently led to the major rating agencies reaffirming Norwalk's "AAA" bond rating every year he was in office, according to the city.