CT Patch Candidate Profile: Toni Lombardi For Milford Board Of Aldermen

MILFORD, CT ? The 2025 election is heating up in Connecticut and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

Connecticut Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Toni Lombardi, a Democrat, is a Milford resident running for Board of Aldermen.

Occupation:

I currently serve as a school secretary, where I support day-to-day operations. I previously worked as an Executive Secretary for the State of Connecticut and I have over 7 years of combined experience in government, education, and community-based service roles.

Family:
Yes, I have a family I?m incredibly proud of. My husband, Kyle, works for the State of Connecticut. We have two children: Jesse, age 11, who is in 6th grade, and Madalaina, age 4. Both are active in competitive dance and the arts, which keeps our weekends busy and full of energy. As a family, we value community, tradition, and being engaged in the place we call home: Milford.

Previous public office, appointive or elective:

No

Why are you seeking this office?
Because I love this city and I?m deeply concerned about the direction we?re heading in. Milford isn?t Washington, D.C., and it shouldn?t feel like it. I?m running to fight back against the growing influence of partisanship, restore trust in local government, and ensure that every resident?s voice matters. We deserve transparency, accountability, and representation that puts people over politics. I want to make sure our neighborhoods are heard, not overlooked, and that real change follows when people speak to their elected officials.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:
Fear. Fear of what will happen to our schools. Fear that taxes will keep rising. Fear that our local quality of life is slipping away. My job, if elected, will be to fight that fear with facts. We need a government that keeps residents informed, includes them in decisions, and holds itself accountable. When people understand what?s happening and why, fear fades and confidence returns. I?ll work to ensure every decision is made out in the open, not behind closed doors. My role is not to bring an agenda, but to represent the voices and needs of our community with integrity and accountability.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
I bring a combination of government experience, community advocacy, and a fresh perspective that reflects the realities of working families in Milford.

As a young professional, a public school employee, and a parent of two school-aged children, I understand the everyday concerns residents face because I live them too. I?ve also worked at the state level in both legislative and administrative roles, giving me firsthand experience with how government functions, how policy gets made, and how decisions impact real people on the ground.

I?ve worked across party lines to get results, solve problems, and ensure residents have access to the services they need. I?m not new to public service, but I bring new energy, a people-first mindset, and a strong commitment to making government more transparent and responsive.

What sets me apart from others in this race is that I?m not running to maintain the status quo. I?m not here to score political points or push a personal agenda. I?m running because I believe residents deserve better communication, more opportunities for input, and leaders who are willing to work hard on their behalf. Milford deserves leadership that reflects its people and that?s exactly what I bring to the table.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
As I?ve knocked on doors across the district, I?ve made it a priority to speak with people from every political background. What I?ve learned is that no matter where someone falls on the spectrum, the core concerns are the same. Parents want schools that work. Seniors don?t want to be taxed out of the city they?ve called home for over 50 years. And everyone wants to feel seen, heard, and respected by their local government.

I?m not running to serve a party. I?m running to serve people. That means listening first, acting with heart, and making sure residents are brought into the process before decisions are made, not after. I believe Milford works best when everyone has a seat at the table, and I?m committed to making that a reality.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
I?ve built my career around public service, problem-solving, and getting things done. At the state level, I served as a legislative aide and committee clerk, where I helped write, track, and support legislation while also being a direct point of contact for constituents who needed help navigating complex government systems. Whether it was a housing issue, a delay in benefits, a need for clearer information, or just a listening ear, I was the person who followed through until the problem was resolved.

Earlier in my career, I served as a civic engagement manager for a nonprofit focused on education equity and voter participation. In that role, I worked directly with families, faith leaders, and local stakeholders to increase voter turnout across party lines, promote community involvement, and build power through engagement and advocacy. It deepened my belief that change doesn?t start in conference rooms-it starts in conversations.

I?ve led community-based efforts to identify needs, organize resources, and push for practical, people-focused solutions. I don?t just talk about problems, I take them on. That?s the mindset and work ethic I?ll bring to the Board of Aldermen.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
The best pieces of advice I've ever received has come from my children.

My 11-year-old, Jesse, had heard me talking about something I disagreed with and said, "If you care this much, you might as well do something about it." He wasn't trying to inspire me, but he did.

My 4-year-old, Maddie, this past Sunday heard me talking to my husband about the mountain of chores that I needed to get done and before I could finish she pointed to our side door and said, "Go knock doors." She?s been watching me do this work her entire life, and somehow, she already knows what it takes to connect with people. She?s even knocked on doors with me.

My kids aren't just watching, they're learning, and that keeps me going.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I want voters to know that this campaign is about more than just earning votes. It is about building real relationships and showing up for people. When I knock on doors, I give every person my card with my cell phone number. I want people to know that I am reachable, accountable, and here for them. Not just during election season, but always.

I?ve met people who told me they would never vote for someone from my party. I still hand them my card. I do that because I am not just a candidate. I'm their neighbor. I care about what happens in our city, no matter how someone is registered to vote. Whether or not someone supports me politically, they deserve to be represented, respected, and heard.

If elected, I will serve everyone in this district with fairness, honesty, and accessibility. That is how government should work, and that is the standard I intend to uphold.