Patch Candidate Profile: Lyda Ruijter For Stamford Town Clerk

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:
Lyda Ruijter

What office are you seeking?
Town Clerk

What town do you live in?
Stamford

Campaign Website
https://www.lyda4townclerk.com...

Party Affiliation:
Democrat running as an Independent

Occupation:
City and Town Clerk

Family:
Husband, Sean, and two adult daughter, Sydney and Leigh

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

Previous public office, appointive or elective:
Commissioner Parks & Recreation 2013-2017. Town Clerk 2017-present

Why are you seeking this office?
The Office of the Town Clerk plays an essential role in good governance for the city. I've made great strides in modernizing the office, but I'd like to further implement the changes that I've initiated.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:
Many constituents of all layers of society feel isolated and disconnected. The Town Clerk office is often the first entry to our city government, and by further increasing the welcoming and accessible atmosphere of the office, the office plays a role in improving the residents' general sense of well-being.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
The Town Clerk office is a hugely demanding complex office. My experiences prior to becoming the Town Clerk, in academia, in building and running a successful business from scratch, and education in various areas, including a minor in computer science, have proven to be invaluable for tackling and innovating the multitude of duties of the office.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
I'm also focused on the role of technology as it impacts society, city government, and specifically the integrity of elections.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
I've successfully administered the eight-fold increase of Absentee Balloting during COVID, which was a daunting task, requiring collaborating with various departments and up to 90 volunteers. I've also overhauled the whole software environment for the office, integrating all functions, hugely improving efficiency and accountability.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Take one step at the time. The meaning is that huge projects should be tackled slowly, analyzed and broken down in small chunks.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
My greatest accomplishment may be that I like to recognize the special qualities and talents of each of our staff members, and allow them to thrive, for themselves and for the residents we serve.