Stratford Election 2025: Anthony Afriyie Running For Town Council

STRATFORD, CT — The 2025 municipal election is heating up in Stratford with plenty of races on the ballot.

Voters will cast their ballots in the Nov. 4 election for the position of mayor, along with seats on the Town Council, Board of Education, Planning and Zoning and more.

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

Anthony Afriyie is running for re-election to the Stratford Town Council as a Democrat.

Campaign Website

https://www.stratforddemocrats...

Occupation:

Liaison

Family:
I grew up in a two family household with a mother and father who came to the U.S.A. from Ghana, West Africa. I have three siblings; Two older brothers and one younger sister. Two are Healthcare Professionals, and the other is an I.T. Engineer.

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

Previous public office, appointive or elective:
I had the privilege of being supported by my neighbors in the 2023 Municipal Election to represent them on the Town Council.

Why are you seeking this office?
I am running for re-election because I want to give back to the community that shaped me and to ensure Stratford families can thrive. I believe we must make our town more affordable, expand workforce development opportunities, and create seamless pathways from school to stable, high-demand careers. I am committed to advancing universal pre-K in our school system and pushing for sustainable investments in infrastructure and climate resilience, while bringing a younger, more responsive voice to government. My candidacy is about building a fairer, more sustainable future, led by a new generation dedicated to opportunity, equity, and local stewardship.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:
The biggest challenge Stratford faces right now is clear: we rely far too much on property taxes. When 80% of our budget comes from one source, we leave ourselves vulnerable. Homeowners, especially seniors and families on fixed incomes feel the weight of that burden every year. And at the same time, it limits our ability to plan boldly for the future. This isn’t just about dollars and cents, it’s about fairness, stability, and whether our government can keep its promises to the people.

Here’s what I intend to do about it: Stratford cannot go it alone. Our economy doesn’t stop at the town line, and our challenges from coastal resilience to infrastructure are regional in nature. That’s why I will continue to lead with a focus on regional collaboration. By working with our neighbors in Bridgeport, Milford, Trumbull, and Shelton and across the region, we can share costs, compete together for state and federal grants, and create new streams of revenue that don’t fall on the backs of homeowners. Whether it’s joint agreements for waste management, shared investment in industrial sites, or regional strategies to grow tourism, collaboration gives Stratford more leverage and more opportunity.

I believe in a Stratford that is resilient, fair, and forward looking. Diversifying our revenue through regional cooperation is how we build that future, together.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
The major difference between me and the other candidates is the perspective and preparation I bring from both service and study. During the pandemic, I volunteered in five Midwestern states through a national service program, AmeriCorps NCCC. Seeing firsthand how different communities responded to crisis, how resources were deployed, and how leadership can either unite or divide people in moments of uncertainty. That experience deepened my understanding of resilience, collaboration, and the urgent need for government to meet families where they are. I then pursued my master’s in public administration at a school in the heart of Manhattan, where I trained in policy analysis, budgeting, and organizational leadership. Together, these experiences give me not only the skills but also the reach to ensure Stratford’s needs are both heard and seen.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
Housing. When I look at what happened at Success Village, I see proof that government can make a real difference. Less than a year ago, hundreds of families faced a winter without heat or hot water. Instead of turning away, the Stratford stepped up, and we contributed a $130,000 loan for new boilers. We helped stabilize a community that had been abandoned for too long. That was not charity, that was smart, compassionate governance.

But we must go further. Housing affordability is one of Stratford’s greatest challenges, and the creation of the Connecticut Municipal Development Authority gives us new tools to rise to it. Through CMDA, we can pursue creative financing and resident centered development that doesn’t just build homes, it builds opportunity.

Research is clear: when children grow up in diverse, thriving communities, surrounded by peers whose parents are working and engaged, their chances in life improve dramatically. Diverse housing stock isn’t only about affordability; it’s about giving the next generation the social capital they need to succeed.

That is why Stratford must embrace housing policy as opportunity policy. We can ensure that affordable housing becomes a bridge to stronger families, healthier communities, and brighter futures.

The response we saw at Success Village should not be the exception. It must be our model. Government can do something and in Stratford, we can.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
I’ve shown I can handle this job because I’ve already delivered for Stratford. On public safety, I supported banning dangerous street takeovers, cracking down on illegal ATV use, and also expanded safety and speed signage to protect our neighborhoods. On community investment, our Town Council allocated funds to rehabilitate the Stratford Library, preserving it as a hub for learning and civic life. On environmental stewardship, our Town Council allocated funds for open space acquisition to preserve and protect Roosevelt Forest, our 401-acre jewel. And on climate resiliency, we approved a $16.7 million floodwall to protect our wastewater treatment plant from the kind of catastrophic flooding we nearly faced during Hurricane Sandy, leveraging FEMA funds to safeguard critical infrastructure and public health.

These actions: safety, learning, conservation, and resiliency, prove I don’t just talk about leadership, I practice it.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
"Do not walk through time without leaving worthy evidence of your passage." - Pope John XXIII

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
If I am given the opportunity to once again represent my neighbors and community, I will continue to live by the pledge I first embraced as an AmeriCorps member, a pledge that represents not only a year of service, but a lifelong commitment.

I will get things done for America – to make our people safer, smarter, and healthier.
I will bring people together to strengthen our communities.
Faced with apathy, I will take action.
Faced with conflict, I will seek common ground.
Faced with adversity, I will persevere.
I will carry this commitment with me this year and beyond.
I am an AmeriCorps member, and I will get things done.

As your Town Councilor, I will apply this pledge to every decision I make and every interaction I have, ensuring that service, unity, and perseverance guide how I represent us and Stratford every single day.