Darien First Selectman Jayme Stevenson Will Not Seek Re-Election

DARIEN, CT — First Selectman Jayme Stevenson has officially announced she will not seek re-election after serving five terms in the position.

In a statement released Wednesday, Stevenson said the decision was difficult but will ultimately benefit the community by opening it up to new leadership and fresh ideas.

While there are no term limits for the first selectman position in Darien, Stevenson noted she strongly believes in them.

"The decision to step aside was very difficult given the exciting, transformational work we’ve done to plan for the Darien of our future and the close friendships I've made along the way," Stevenson said in a statement. "I feel humbled and gratified by all we've set in motion. New leadership and fresh ideas, grounded by our history and community values, are healthy for our community."

Stevenson has served on the town's Board of Selectman for 12 years, including 10 years as first selectman. She and her family have also lived in town for over three decades.

"For 30 years, Darien has been my family's home," Stevenson said. "My husband grew up here and I've lived here longer than any other place. I consider Darien to be where our roots are and the place that gave my five children their wings."

She also thanked the town and its residents for the privilege to serve as their leader for ten years.

"As new doors open, there may be different ways for me to continue to show my love and commitment to our incredible town," Stevenson said. "It's been a privilege of a lifetime to serve as your first selectman for the past decade. Thank you Darien!"

Selectman Sarah Neumann said she had just heard the news herself Wednesday night and was thankful to Stevenson for all her hard work over the years.

"I'd like to thank Jayme Stevenson for her many years of service to the town of Darien," Neumann said to Patch. "Under her leadership, the town of Darien has continued to thrive. I wish her well as she enters a new chapter in her life."

Monica McNally, who was recently selected to fill a vacant seat on the Board of Education, noted she has known Stevenson since she moved to Darien and has worked with her in many different organizations and roles.

"Jayme has done a fantastic job as first selectman, leading Darien for ten years," McNally said to Patch. "Her extraordinary dedication, time commitment and efforts have helped keep Darien the town we love to live in and a leading community in the state of Connecticut. I am grateful for all that she has done and I wish her great success in her next endeavors."

Below is Stevenson's statement in full:

For 30 years, Darien has been my family’s home. My husband grew up here and I’ve lived here longer than any other place. I consider Darien to be where our roots are and the place that gave my five children their wings.

In 2009, I cared deeply enough about our community to step into the arena of political service to the town. Today, I reflect proudly on all we’ve achieved together, with your support, in the 12 years I’ve served on the Board of Selectman - 10 of those as your town and team leader.

There are too many meaningful projects completed and problems solved to mention here but in the big picture, what I’m most proud of are the people who work tirelessly to support our residents and businesses - our employees, the hundreds of board and commission volunteers and community support and faith organizations who are the strong threads of the fabric of our everyday lives. We are fortunate to have the most skilled professionals in our Darien Police Department, volunteer EMS and fire service keeping us well-protected as well as a dedicated town staff ready to help. I’m deeply grateful for the partnership of my Board of Selectmen colleagues and collaborations with other town boards over the past 12 years. I always championed doing what was right…not what was easy or politically expedient.

Stewardship, vision, building trusted relationships, financial discipline and understanding the foundational importance of educating our children well are the core values upon which I set my leadership compass. Albeit my greatest daily challenge, I never wavered from doing what was right and best for the future of our community as a whole.

The role of Darien First Selectman is no longer a part-time, stay-local job. Active engagement at the regional and state levels are critical for Darien’s voice to be heard on policy matters that impact our daily lives. The leadership roles I’ve been honored to hold during my tenure for Western Connecticut Council of Governments, the Southwest Region Metropolitan Planning Organization, Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, Connecticut Interlocal Risk Management Agency and the State’s Attorney Community Engagement Board have raised Darien’s profile in a very positive way. Darien residents and businesses deserve a leader who will make the commitment to put the well-being of our town above self-interest and party politics.

We’ve experienced a unique and intense set of challenges this past year. We came together, did what was best for our town and made it through stronger, wiser and well-prepared for the next challenge. We’ve been a resilient community for over 200 years and I’m confident in our ability succeed and thrive for generations to come.

I began my Board of Selectmen service to keep local control over decisions that would have had a detrimental impact on our town. Darien is a wonderful and desirable place, in part, because of the great care we take with each and every decision. We know, at the most granular level, what works best for Darien and keeping that control in the hands of our local elected and appointed officials will be one of the biggest challenges facing town leaders going forward.

There are no term limits for Darien’s First Selectman yet I believe strongly in term limits. Congress would serve us far better if there were term limits! The decision to step aside was very difficult given the exciting, transformational work we’ve done to plan for the Darien of our future and the close friendships I’ve made along the way. I feel humbled and gratified by all we’ve set in motion. New leadership and fresh ideas, grounded by our history and community values, are healthy for our community.

For me, I’m closing this chapter. As new doors open, there may be different ways for me to continue to show my love and commitment to our incredible town. It’s been a privilege of a lifetime to serve as your First Selectman for the past decade. Thank you Darien! #BlueWavePride