Patch Candidate Profile: Jeff Wirz For Stamford Board Of Representatives

STAMFORD, CT — Election Day on Nov. 4 is fast approaching, and there are a number of key races on the ballot.

Patch reached out to candidates for office to get more information on their campaigns and the issues that are facing the city.

Candidate's Name:
Jeff Wirz

What office are you seeking?
Board of Representatives, District 20

What town do you live in?
Stamford

Campaign Website
https://www.2025endorseddems.c...

Party Affiliation:
Democrat

Occupation:
Real Estate Agent and Photographer

Family:
Antonia (wife), Matthew (25), Lucas (23) and Diego (21)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
Antonia Better-Wirz

Previous public office, appointive or elective:

Why are you seeking this office?
I have thought about getting involved in local politics for many years, and I am now at a point in my life where I feel I can contribute more time as a volunteer. I enjoy talking with people and believe that serving my district as their representative is a way I can get more involved with the people in my community.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:
In recent weeks I have been talking with people throughout District 20 and a topic that has been brought up consistently is about the poor condition of our roads. Specifically, the concerns are with pot holes that have been neglected or poorly repaired, and with streets that have not been paved for many years. The problems go well beyond the primary streets. They include many neighborhood roads as well. My immediate goal is to continue these conversations with the residents of our district in an effort to accurately identify the streets that have the greatest for repair. I would work to establish a dialog with the city (and state) departments that are responsible for allocating resources to the roads and work to communicate my progress back to the constituents in the district.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
I have many years of experience as a volunteer working with people throughout our community. I also work professionally as a real estate agent in Stamford. This helps to provide me with a broad understanding of the various perspectives are on what makes this city work (and not work). Through my community experience I believe I have a high-level perspective on the city and community that will better prepare me to be a solid problem solver and an excellent communicator.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
I would like to see the city make homeownership more feasible for our citizens. The subject of housing is a top priority for the city as affordability is getting out of control, especially for those people who are paying rent. If we can seek to develop programs that will help provide more opportunities for homeownership, this will not only help those individuals and families to build wealth, this will also help to better support the local economy.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
I have successfully operated two local businesses for many years and each business is directly and deeply involved in building relationships in the Stamford community. My volunteerism has also helped broaden my knowledge and perspectives on the very diverse population we have in Stamford. I believe the people who know me have gained a level of respect for me and who I am and I hope that will resonate with my constituents as continue to meet more people in my community.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Word hard, be yourself, help others and have fun!

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
My wife (Antonia) is a member of the Stamford Board of Education and also works professionally to support the people of Stamford in her full-time career job. We raised three young men (now 21, 23 and 25 years old) who were all born in Stamford and went through the Stamford public school system.