Patch Candidate Profile: Lainie McHugh For Trumbull Board Of Finance

TRUMBULL, 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 their towns.

Candidate's Name:

Lainie McHugh

What office are you seeking?

Board of Finance

What town do you live in?

Trumbull, CT

Campaign Website

Party Affiliation:

Democrat

Occupation:

Physical Therapist at Rehabilitation Associates, Inc for 31 years

Family:

My husband Tim grew up in Trumbull and I moved here 30 years ago when we married and bought our first home. Our two children, now 26 and 24, are graduates of Trumbull Public Schools.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

Previous public office, appointive or elective:

I have been on the Board of Finance since 2014 and currently serve as the chairman.

Why are you seeking this office?

I enjoy being part of making Trumbull a community of choice, and the challenge of understanding how the process works, then finding strategies to make the budget match our needs while being affordable to residents.

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 my constituents is AFFORDABILITY. I intend to continue to work in a bipartisan fashion to budget strategically and make smart spending decisions that continue to prioritize public safety, education, and our vital services.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

The major differences between me and the other candidates running is experience. I have been involved from both the perspective of education advocacy and repesenting the needs of all taxpayers. I have navigated budget cycles during the pandemic and the volatile economic environment that has followed. My husband is a self-employed, insurance professional, and I work in the challenging environment of healthcare. I have worked hard to foster a bipartisan collaboration with our current board and hope to be able to continue in that fashion.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
During the campaign, I also hope to address questions and provide accurate and truthful information about the referendum question concerning bond authorization to build a new Senior/Community center. It is imperative that voters understand the question and it's short/long term impact on our community to be able to make an informed decision.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
Serving as chair for the past 4 years, I have fostered a respectful, collaborative environment and promoted constructive exchanges of ideas that work towards compromise and solutions.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
One of the best pieces of advice given to me about campaigning has been to keep my comments to facts and issues, not personal attacks. Many people forget this, especially on social media. Always tell the truth and stick to facts.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
It has been a honor to serve this community and I hope I have earned your votes to be re-elected to the Board of Finance