Stratford Election 2025: Carolann Reid 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.

Carolann Reid is running for election to the Stratford Town Council as a Democrat.

What office are you seeking?
Town Council - 8th District

Occupation:

Social Worker

Family:
Carolann and her husband, Dr. Ahmed Reid, have one daughter, Noa (age 16). My family and I share a passion for traveling and enjoy entertaining family and friends.

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'm running for local office because I believe our town deserves leadership that puts people first, every family, every business, every resident.

For years, I have seen our community face challenges that require more than quick fixes. They call for someone who can bring people together, listen to different perspectives, and develop lasting solutions. Through my work connecting schools, families, and community organizations, I’ve seen firsthand what's possible when we work to bridge divides instead of deepening them. But I've also noticed the gaps, the voices that aren't heard, the opportunities we're missing, and the potential we're leaving behind. Our town is at a crossroads. The choices we make now about growth, development, and investment will shape our community for generations. We must ensure those choices benefit everyone.

I'm running because I can no longer stay on the sidelines. My life's work has been dedicated to young people. By building partnerships between schools, social service agencies, and community mentors, I have helped create opportunities for students who others had written off. I have seen young people transform their lives when given the right support, resources, and someone who believes in them. My experience in fostering collaboration has shown me that real change is possible when leaders are willing to do the hard work of bringing people together. I’m an active listener, I know how to build consensus, and how to turn shared vision into meaningful action. I believe in leadership that is accountable, accessible, and truly representative of our community's diverse voices and needs. Stratford has incredible potential. I am running to help us realize it—together.

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 our community is one I hear everywhere I go on the
campaign trail: we're losing our ability to attract and retain the next generation—young
families, professionals, and the talent that will sustain our town's future.

The vibrancy that once defined Stratford is fading. My Three-Pillar Revival Plan includes: Fix Our Schools, Invest in Our Children, Revitalize Our Economy: Support Local and Attract New Businesses and Rebuild Our Town's Appeal.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
The fundamental difference between myself and the incumbent is simple: results and new
perspective. Here’s what makes my candidacy different:

I have a track record of getting things done. While the incumbent has held office, I have been
actively involved in the community, building genuine partnerships, and creating real
opportunities for young people. My work with the youth and community organizations aren’t just theoretical; it has led to real transformations in people’s lives.

I bring new ideas and energy. I offer fresh perspectives on old problems and the drive to address them quickly. Our community can’t afford another term of business as usual.

I am a collaborative leader. My approach is about bringing people together to solve problems. I
have built my career on collaboration and consensus-building. These are skills our community
desperately needs but hasn’t seen from current leadership. Stratford deserves leadership that delivers, not just promises. It’s time for change.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
Youth development and education will be a priority during my term: Our young people are
our future, yet we aren’t investing enough in them. I’ve worked to expand after-school programs,
create more pathways to employment and skills training, and ensure every student, regardless of
background, has access to opportunities that prepare them for success.

Economic Development That Works for Everyone: We need to attract businesses and create
jobs, but growth must benefit residents, not just outside developers. I’ll focus on supporting small businesses, workforce development programs, and making sure our residents have first access to new employment opportunities.

Investing in Infrastructure and Quality of Life: From roads and parks to recreational
facilities and public spaces, our infrastructure needs attention. These aren’t luxuries, they’re
investments in our community’s health, safety, and sustainable future.

Transparency and Community Engagement: Government should be accessible and
accountable. I’ll ensure residents have real input on decisions that affect their lives, not just token
public hearings after decisions are already made.

These issues are interconnected. Addressing them requires collaborative, results-oriented
leadership I have demonstrated throughout my career.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
I successfully brought together schools, social service agencies, law enforcement, and
community organizations to create comprehensive support systems for at-risk youth. This wasn’t
easy. It required navigating different priorities, building trust across institutional boundaries, and
maintaining commitment from various stakeholders. That’s exactly the kind of coalition-building our town needs in local government. I’ve developed and implemented programs that helped young adults reintegrate into our community successfully. This work involved securing funding, coordinating with multiple agencies, and tracking results to ensure accountability. The outcome? Young people who were overlooked by society are now employed, pursuing education, and making positive contributions to our community.

I have consistently taken ideas from concept to reality, whether launching new initiatives,
securing resources or mobilizing community support. I know how to develop strategic plans,
manage budgets, navigate bureaucracy, and deliver measurable results.

Working with families in crisis, educators with limited resources, and young people facing
enormous challenges have taught me to listen deeply, find common ground even in difficult
situations, and build solutions that address root causes rather than just symptoms.

My work has involved building credibility with people from all backgrounds; from teenagers
who have lost faith in institutions to business leaders, educators, and law enforcement officials.
I’ve demonstrated my ability to bridge gaps and earn trust across diverse communities, which is
vital for effective leadership. I don’t need on-the-job training. I have already been doing the hard work of bringing people together and delivering results. I am ready to bring that same commitment and competence to local government from day one.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
The best advice anyone ever gave me came early in my career working with young people:
Meet people where they are, not where you think they should be.

It sounds simple, but it fundamentally changed how I approach leadership and problem-solving.
When I began working with youth, I had ideas about what they needed and what could help them succeed. But that experience taught me to listen first and to understand their reality, challenges, strengths, and dreams before trying to impose solutions.

That principle has guided everything I have done since. It’s why I have been able to build
effective partnerships across different sectors. I take time to understand what matters to
educators, to business owners, to families, to law enforcement, and to community members
before trying to bring them together.

It’s why the programs I have created work. They are built on real needs, not assumptions. And it’s the approach I will bring to local government. Too often, elected officials make decisions based on what they think the community needs without truly listening. They hold town halls but have already made up their minds. They talk about representation but don’t genuinely engage with diverse voices.
I believe effective leadership begins with listening. You must meet your community where it is,
and understand its challenges, respect its wisdom, and honor its diversity before you can help it
reach its goals. That’s the kind of leadership District 8, and by extension, Stratford deserves, and that’s the kind of leader I am committed to being.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I think what I'd most like you to know is that I'm very grounded and connected. My roots are deep here; I love Stratford, and my active community life here is what keeps me energized and provides a strong support network. This grounding allows me to focus completely on my professional responsibilities. I'm looking to apply my energy and passion in a way that contributes to something meaningful, and I see that opportunity right here with being your District 8 Town Council.