Wallingford Election 2025: Joe Marrone Running For Town Council

WALLINGFORD, CT — The 2025 municipal election is heating up in Wallingford 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 and Board of Education.

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

Joe Marrone III is running for re-election to the Wallingford Town Council as a Republican.

Occupation:
Compliance Manager

Family:
Married with three sons. Two are in college, one is at LHHS.

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

Previous public office, appointive or elective:
I am running for my sixth term on the Council. Prior to that, I was on the Board of Education for three terms.

Why are you seeking this office?
Wallingford is a great town! We face a number of real concerns, like an aging infrastructure, antiquated technology at town hall and diminishing industrial/commercial taxpayers. We are turning a corner, however, and I have been fighting for that change for the past 10 years. I am an advocate for my friends and neighbors alone and we need to focus on what town government is responsible for, which is Police, Fire, Public Works, Education and little else.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:
Rising taxes and a diminishing commercial/industrial tax base. I intend to partner with our Economic Development Commission to bring more business and industry to town. Growing our grand list is a need, not a want, in order to keep Wallingford affordable.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
I serve with a number of outstanding individuals from both parties who are very committed to our town. As Chair, I pride myself on the ability to work with all of my fellow Council Members. If moving Wallingford forward means that I am proven wrong, I am fine with that. The goal is progress for my town, not pride or ego.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
We are currently working on a study of the Fire Department, which is vital to our collective future. We also need to chip away at our many, many infrastructure projects. I am very proud that Community Pool is currently under construction; we need to identify the next project or projects.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
1. Community Pool 2. Fire Department study 3. Open and transparent meetings 4. Pragmatic approach to governing, as I have voted for and against budgets 5. Restraint on taxes (with the exception of last year, with our grand list issues)

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
If you could kick the person in the pants responsible for most of your trouble, you wouldn't sit for a month. - Teddy Roosevelt

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I grew up in town, graduated from Sheehan and do not plan on leaving. I am not the smartest or most connected person on the Council, but I have a vision for where I want Wallingford to be and I will quietly keep pushing us to get there. Our best times are ahead of us.