Norwalk Common Council Member Considers Running For Mayor

NORWALK, CT — Four-term Common Council member John Kydes, a Democrat, has formed an exploratory committee for a possible run for mayor of Norwalk, he announced Tuesday.

Kydes, a lifelong Norwalk resident, represents District C, and serves as the council's Majority Leader.

"It has been a great honor serving our city on the Common Council and now I am testing the waters to see if there is support for me to continue on in higher office," he said in a statement.

Norwalk currently has a Democrat serving in the city's highest elected office, four-term Mayor Harry Rilling, who, through a spokesman this week, said that he intends to seek a fifth term.

"As always, Mayor Rilling looks forward to the opportunity to have a healthy dialogue with all Norwalk residents and any candidates who choose to run for office," Rilling's campaign Spokesman Adam Wood told Patch. "It is a symbol of Norwalk's success that there is competition to lead it."

Kydes has served as Council President; chair of its Planning Committee; as a member of the Energy & Environment Task Force; and as a member of the Nathan Hale Middle School Governance Council.

"To properly serve the community you must understand the needs of that community," Kydes said. "From the senior on a fixed income to the parent with a child in the public school system, everyone needs to be included in the conversation."

On his vision for Norwalk's future, Kydes said balancing the city's tax base and quality of life are priorities.

"Norwalk has changed considerably in recent years," he said. "It's time we take a breath, evaluate those changes and plan for the future. Increasing our tax base is important but just as important is the quality of life."

Kydes said he launched the exploratory committee with the "support and encouragement" of his family, his wife, Naomi Kydes, teenage son, John, and teenage daughter, Sophia.

"I would not be able to begin down this long road without the full support of my family," he said.