Interview with a Connecticut Politician: Erin Stewart

Erin Stewart is currently serving her 4th term as the Mayor of New Britain, CT. She was first elected at age 26, making her the youngest mayor in the city’s history and its second female mayor. Under Stewart’s leadership, New Britain has invested in addressing the issues of homelessness and addiction, and has strengthened city resource conservation with EV charging stations and solar array installations. 

Sophie Fetter: Why did you initially decide to run for Mayor of New Britain? What effects did your  age and gender have on your campaign and subsequent public service? 

Erin Stewart: I ran for Mayor because the City I loved was in disarray and residents were miserable.  No one else was stepping up to do what needed to be done to get New Britain back on  track, so I made the decision to be the leader that New Britain residents desperately needed.  

I was a 26 year old woman at the time I first ran for Mayor, so naturally there were  some people who did not take me seriously at first. To this day certain people still think I  don’t know what I’m doing, but all you have to do is take a look around to see the  incredible things I have been able to accomplish as Mayor.  

My age has also been an asset because I am not an old politician who is out of touch  with their community and the modern ways of running an effective campaign. I am able  to connect with the young people in my community and I know what impacts them  because it impacts me as well. I also feel people appreciate my fresh perspective and  know I am not just another older politician who will uphold the status quo that had  obviously not been working for this City for a very long time.  

Sophie Fetter: What was the process of running a campaign like? 

Erin Stewart: Each campaign is unique, and the strategy depends on what is happening within the City  at that particular moment in time. However the process is always mostly exciting and a  little stressful. I love campaigning because I have so many chances to connect with the  residents of New Britain, spread the positive message of Team Stewart to every corner  of the City, and really explain to people all the amazing improvements that have been  happening lately.  

Sophie Fetter: When did you first get involved in politics? How did your passion impact your  campaign? 

Erin Stewart: I got involved in politics when former Congresswoman Nancy Johnson offered me a  position in one of her field offices when I was still in college. That’s where I caught the  political bug and the rest is history!  

I believe my passion for making New Britain the best place it can be is a large reason  why I was first elected, and why the residents keep re-electing me as their Mayor.  Passion needs to be the foundation of every campaign, because if you are not  passionate about what you are running for then people will pick up on that, and frankly I  do not believe you deserve the position. I strongly feel that the residents of New Britain  deserve a person as their Mayor who is passionate about this City and creating the  highest possible quality of life for everyone who lives here, has a business here, or visits  here. 

Sophie Fetter: What does it mean to you to be on your 4th term of service? What accomplishments  are you most proud of and what do you hope to achieve with your next term? 

Erin Stewart: One of the accomplishments I am most proud of is how my administration was able to  bring this City back from the edge of financial ruin to a place where we now have a  substantial rainy day fund, I was able to lower the tax rate for the first time in nearly fifteen years, and we have an A+ credit rating. Financial stability is crucial to the success  of any City, so that has always been a top priority during my time as Mayor.  

Right now New Britain is experiencing a renaissance unlike anything we have seen in  decades. The focus for my next term will be to build on that transformation block by  block through enhancing business opportunities, increasing economic development  throughout the City, and positioning New Britain as an attractive place to live, work, and  play through strategic marketing initiatives.