Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling To Seek 5th Term

NORWALK, CT — Mayor Harry Rilling, the four-term Democratic incumbent, will seek a fifth term as Norwalk's top elected official in 2021, he announced through a spokesman Tuesday.

Rilling and his campaign treasurer, Nate Yordon, filed the necessary campaign paperwork with the city's Town Clerk’s Office on Nov. 12 "in order to begin the necessary groundwork to seek a fifth term as Mayor," campaign spokeman Adam Wood told Patch.

Rilling, a former Norwalk police chief, was first elected to office in 2013, and Wood said that under Rilling's leadership, "Norwalk has grown its tax base, revitalized its downtown, and elevated its public schools into the state’s top performing city district."

Earlier on Tuesday, Common Council member John Kydes, a Democrat who represents District C, announced he has launched an exploratory committee as he considers a run for mayor.

Rilling welcomed the potential challenge, according to Wood. "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. It is a symbol of Norwalk's success that there is competition to lead it."

In his most recent victory in 2019, Rilling defeated Republican challenger Lisa Brinton. A Republican has not yet thrown their hat in the ring for 2021.

Wood added the following statement for why Rilling is seeking a fifth term:

"Norwalk is on the right track because of Mayor Harry Rilling's leadership. Economic development is strong across the city, Norwalk schools have seen historic investment and improvement and crime is down.

"The thoughtful and steady leadership exhibited by Mayor Rilling and his administration has been evident throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Early in the pandemic the Mayor made tough decisions to help keep the community safe and expanded resources to public safety and public health personnel. Many of these actions were later implemented across the state.

"The Mayor has been blown away by the support that residents and businesses have shown during this crisis to those who needed a helping hand. He firmly believes the City can and should do more, and addressing these challenges remains a top priority for his administration."