Tom Long shares with Patch why he should be elected to the Newtown Legislative Council, District 3.
NEWTOWN, 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: Tom Long
What office are you seeking? Legislative Council, District 3
What town do you live in? Newtown
Occupation: Senior V.P. Communications 10+ years
Family: My wife Tina and I have been married for 27 years. We have two dogs, Annie (5) and Eddie (3).
Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? I have served on the legislative council for 4 years.
Previous public office, appointive or elective: Before my service on the Legislative Council, I served on the Economic Development Commission, Edmond Town Hall Board of Managers, the Library Board of Trustees, a Charter Revision Commission, and the Parks and Recreation Trails Committee.
Why are you seeking this office? I’m running for re-election to the Legislative Council because I care deeply about Newtown and believe thoughtful, independent voices matter in local government. Over the past four years, I’ve worked hard to support strong schools and town services while keeping an eye on the tax burden families and businesses face.
I chose to run as an unaffiliated, petition candidate because I believe collaboration should take precedence over party politics. Good ideas don’t belong to one side or the other — ideas should be judged on whether they help Newtown. I aim to remain a steady, practical voice that brings people together, preserves what makes our town special, and promotes smart growth that strengthens our community.
The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it: The biggest issue for Newtown residents is affordability while maintaining the quality of town services we all depend on. Families and local businesses feel the impact of rising costs, and property taxes are a big part of that. At the same time, people want strong schools, safe neighborhoods, and well-maintained facilities.
To address this, I will continue to work closely with local boards and officials to carefully review spending, set priorities, and ensure that our capital improvement plans focus on projects that deliver the most benefit to residents. Thoughtful planning, collaboration, and responsible economic development will help keep Newtown affordable for the people who live and work here.
What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post? The biggest difference is that I’m running as an unaffiliated, petition candidate. Unlike party-endorsed candidates, I had to collect signatures from residents to earn a place on the ballot. To me, that process is a clear demonstration of my commitment to serve and my willingness to do the work required.
As an unaffiliated candidate, I am not tied to one party’s platform. I am open to collaborating with members of all parties and exploring ideas regardless of where they come from. Another major difference is that my name will appear five rows down on the ballot since petitioning candidates are listed after party-endorsed candidates.
What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign? Going door to door, I’ve heard a lot of common concerns from residents. People want to make sure Newtown does not become overdeveloped and that we protect our open space and preserve the character of the town. Traffic safety comes up often, especially in our neighborhoods near state roadways.
I’ve also heard from seniors who rely on transportation services to stay connected and independent. Top of mind for many people is the future of the Fairfield Hills campus — how we can ensure it remains a community asset while making thoughtful decisions about its use.
These conversations will continue to shape my campaign and my approach if I am re-elected to the Legislative Council.
What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job? I’ve had the privilege of serving on Newtown’s Legislative Council for the past four years, which has given me a clear understanding of its role and how success depends on including a wide range of perspectives. Before that, I served on the C.H. Booth Library Board of Trustees, the Edmond Town Hall Board of Managers, the Economic Development Commission, and other local committees — all experiences that deepened my knowledge of how our town works.
Professionally, I’ve worked in the private sector, for the federal government, and now serve in a senior management role at a nonprofit agency. I created a statewide program that assists Connecticut borrowers in avoiding foreclosure, and now I lead a multi-state program helping more than 500 low-income, low-skill individuals return to work.
This mix of local service and professional leadership has prepared me to collaborate effectively, listen carefully, and make thoughtful decisions on behalf of Newtown.
What is the best advice anyone ever gave you? Trust yourself.
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions? I am running as an unaffiliated, petition candidate. That means I don’t have a political party to back me, and my name won’t be sitting neatly under a party label. Instead, you’ll have to look a little harder: I’m five rows down on the ballot. If you remember nothing else from this introduction, remember this: Tom Long is five rows down.