2025 Patch Profile: Tiffani McGinnis, West Hartford Town Council

WEST HARTFORD, CT — West Hartford Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Tiffani McGinnis is running for the West Hartford Town Council as a Democrat.

The following is Tiffani McGinnis's questionnaire sent to Patch:

Candidate's Name: Tiffani McGinnis

What office are you seeking? Town Council

What town do you live in? West Hartford

Campaign Website: https://www.tiffaniforwesthartford.com/

Party Affiliation: Democrat

Occupation: Campaign manager

Family: I am married and have three adult children. My youngest is a senior at UConn.

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

Previous public office, appointive or elective: I am currently serving on the West Hartford Town Council.

Why are you seeking this office?

I’m running for re-election because I believe we must keep West Hartford moving forward.

West Hartford is one of the best places to raise a family, work, and retire, and that’s no accident.

Our Democratic leadership has worked hard to keep our town vibrant, welcoming, and forward-looking.

But we still face real challenges: affordability, safe streets, education funding, climate change, and making sure every resident feels included.

I’m committed to protecting the progress we’ve made while finding smart and practical solutions for the future.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it: The most pressing issue facing my constituents is affordability.

To address this problem, we must ensure that our budget is fair and equitable, prioritizing working families.

This includes protecting funding for our public schools and ensuring families have access to high-quality services while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

Connecticut's tax system currently places too much of the burden on towns, making us overly reliant on property taxes.

I will advocate for reforms that allow towns to retain a fair share of the revenue we generate, such as a portion of the sales tax.

Additionally, I support a transparent, community-driven budget process that enables residents to express their priorities and concerns.

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

I think the difference comes down to how I lead.

I believe in listening, bringing people together, and making sure everyone feels heard.

My focus is on fairness, responsibility, and keeping West Hartford the kind of welcoming town we’re all proud of.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

Beyond continuing the work we’ve started, I’ll focus on keeping West Hartford safe, supporting strong public schools, and investing in sustainability.

Safe streets are a priority for me, so families, children, and seniors feel secure wherever they go.

I’ll also continue to speak out about the damage being caused by the current administration in Washington, because decisions made there can and will affect our community here.

My goal is to ensure that West Hartford has the resources and stability it needs to continue moving forward.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence that you can handle this job?

For over 20 years, I’ve worked to elect Democrats across the country, speaking with thousands of voters from all walks of life about their hopes, concerns, and what they expect from their elected officials.

I believe that experience, combined with my own background, makes me uniquely qualified to represent all the residents of West Hartford as a Town Councilor.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you? Be a workhorse, not a show pony.

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

I grew up in a small town outside of Nashville, TN.

With the help of Pell Grants, scholarships, and student loans, I became the first in my family to graduate from college.

That experience taught me the power of opportunity, and why it’s so important to make sure no one gets left behind.

Over the past two years, my Democratic colleagues and I have worked hard to deliver results.

We’ve expanded affordable housing, became the first town in Connecticut to adopt Vision Zero for safer streets, and launched a food scrap recycling program to make our community greener and more sustainable.

But there’s more to do.

My goal is simple: to keep West Hartford strong, inclusive, and forward-thinking, a place where everyone belongs and everyone thrives. On Nov. 4, I’d be honored to earn your vote.