Wallingford Election 2025: Tom Laffin 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.

Tom Laffin is running for re-election to the Wallingford Town Council as a Republican.

Campaign Website
https://www.tomlaffin.com

Occupation:

IT Manager/Finance Associate

Family:
Jack (19) - Lyman Hall Grad '24, computer coder; Abby (17) - Lyman Hall Senior, Soccer Team Captain; ("step-kid" Maddy (20) Lyman Hall Grad '23, College Student, and "step-kid" Kayti pre-school teacher and mother of two.) Dogs and cats.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
N/A

Previous public office, appointive or elective:
Prior to my 14 years on the Town Council, I previously served 4 years on the Board of Education and a few years on the Inland and Wetlands Commission.

Why are you seeking this office?
I think there is more work to be done, and consistent participants in the process are key to keeping Wallingford a strong and stable town. I also think there has been a hard swing towards negativity in politics and government in general from the top that has worked its way down to our local level and I hope to be an influence towards a kinder, more compassionate governing.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:
updating and adjusting our town services and offerings based on the growing and changing needs of the citizens, while maintaining the integrity and small town feeling that is the core of the Wallingford Community.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
I look for thoughtful and a caring government that serves best being close to the people. In areas such as social services and support, a lot of people believe government should stay out of it, but I believe the LOCAL government can strongly and effectively serve the citizens in this area where as other levels of government are just too far and diluted in connection to the people. One such example would be working closely with effective non-profits and citizens in all the challenges facing the community with the Emergency (Homeless) Shelter.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
We are living in the golden age of public safety in Wallingford. We are the second safest town in Connecticut, and rank highly nationally as well. Our Fire Department is operationally as strong and effective as EVER. The pride our men and women in these departments have for Wallingford is felt in their service and I think that needs to be thoughtfully maintained and not taken for granted or lost. We are also one of the top places to retire in the country, and while that is very unique for Connecticut, I think that needs to be a protected status for Wallingford because it clearly communicates to our citizens that you can come here, raise your families here, and you can STAY here and watch your families raise their families here.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
I have been serving on the Town Council for 14 years, 4 years on the Board of Education before that, and I have been in some sort of "service" my entire life - from being an Eagle Scout to working for a non-profit for the last 10 years. Service above self. If more of our community focused on how their choices impact others around us, we could all be in a better place.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Leadership is about influence, not telling people what to do or how to do it.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
Be kind. Be Laffin.