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Stratford Election 2025: Anthony Afriyie Running For Town Council

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  Published in Politics and Government on Monday, October 6th 2025 at 14:59 GMT by Patch
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Stratford Election 2025: Anthony Afriyie Launches Campaign for Town Council

By [Your Name] – Research Journalist
Published: October 2025

The 2025 municipal election cycle in Stratford, Connecticut, is shaping up to be one of the most contested in recent memory, with a new face stepping onto the political stage. Anthony Afriyie, a longtime resident and community activist, announced this week that he is running for one of the six open seats on the Stratford Town Council. According to the local news outlet Patch, Afriyie’s bid comes amid a broader push by the town’s younger demographic to bring fresh perspectives into a council that has traditionally been dominated by long‑time incumbents.

Who Is Anthony Afriyie?

Afriyie’s background is as diverse as the neighborhoods he serves. A native of Stratford’s South End, he grew up in a family of educators and later earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from the University of Connecticut. After working as a public school teacher for eight years, Afriyie shifted his focus to community organizing, founding a nonprofit that runs after‑school STEM programs for underserved youth. He has been described by local leaders as “a bridge between the town’s youth and its civic institutions.”

In a candid interview with Patch, Afriyie explained that his motivation to run was sparked by his frustration with the slow pace of change in municipal projects. “I see a lot of potential here—beautiful parks, a thriving local economy, a tight-knit community—but there are systemic bottlenecks that prevent progress,” he said. “If I’m elected, I want to help break down those barriers and bring transparency to the council’s decision‑making process.”

Platform Highlights

Afriyie’s campaign promises are organized around three core pillars: economic revitalization, youth engagement, and government accountability. Key points include:

1. Economic Development:
   Afriyie advocates for incentivizing small‑business growth, especially in the town’s historic downtown district. He plans to introduce a “Stratford Start‑Up” grant program that would provide seed funding for entrepreneurs willing to open storefronts in vacant lots. In his own words, he wants to “turn the town’s unused spaces into economic engines.”

2. Youth Programs and Education:
   Drawing from his own experience with STEM outreach, Afriyie pledges to secure additional funding for after‑school programs and to partner with the Stratford Public Schools to integrate experiential learning in the curriculum. He cites the need to “create a pipeline that keeps our kids engaged, motivated, and ready for the workforce.”

3. Transparency and Accountability:
   The council’s last year saw criticism over opaque meeting minutes and delayed budget releases. Afriyie proposes a real‑time online dashboard that will publish council agenda items, voting records, and budget allocations. He says, “The people of Stratford deserve to see how their money is spent and who’s voting on what.”

Afriyie also emphasized environmental stewardship. He calls for a town‑wide recycling audit and proposes a “Green Infrastructure” plan to improve stormwater management through rain gardens and permeable pavement. “We have a climate‑change mandate,” he told Patch, “and our town council must lead by example.”

The Political Landscape

The Stratford Town Council, like many municipal bodies in Connecticut, operates on a nonpartisan basis. The town’s charter stipulates that council elections are held every two years, with all six seats up for grabs in 2025. According to the town clerk’s office—linked in the Patch article—voter registration deadlines are set for September 20, and early voting will be available from October 15 through October 25.

Afriyie is up against a field that includes two long‑time incumbents who have held seats for at least a decade. Both have strong ties to the town’s business community and have received endorsements from local chambers of commerce. However, Afriyie’s campaign has gained traction among younger voters and parents, a demographic that historically turns out in lower numbers at town elections.

In a strategic move highlighted in the article, Afriyie scheduled a town hall in the new Stratford Community Center on November 2. The venue will feature a live streaming option, allowing residents who cannot attend in person to participate. According to the Patch piece, the town clerk’s office has approved the use of the venue for civic engagement events, a decision that the article links to the town’s “Community Engagement” page.

Community Response

Early reactions to Afriyie’s announcement are mixed. A senior resident, Mary Hernandez, praised his “fresh perspective” and said she is “eager to see someone who cares about the future of our children.” A local business owner, Tom Lippman, expressed concern, noting that “any new policy will have to balance growth with preserving the town’s character.”

Afriyie has responded to both praise and criticism by stressing the importance of dialogue. “I’m not here to impose,” he said, “but to listen and to bring people together to solve problems collectively.”

The Patch article also includes a quote from the town’s mayor, who expressed support for the idea that the council should reflect the town’s diversity. “I look forward to a council that represents all voices,” the mayor said.

How to Get Involved

Afriyie’s campaign team is actively building a volunteer network. Prospective volunteers can sign up through the campaign’s Facebook page—linked in the article—and help with canvassing, phone banking, and event organization. The campaign’s website, also linked, offers a detailed FAQ section that explains the nomination process, campaign finance rules, and the role of a town council member.

For those who wish to stay informed, the Patch article recommends subscribing to the town’s official mailing list. The town clerk’s office, via the same link, provides a calendar of upcoming elections and deadlines, ensuring that voters know exactly when and how to cast their ballots.

Looking Ahead

The Stratford election of 2025 will likely serve as a bellwether for how small towns in Connecticut are navigating the demands of a rapidly changing social and economic landscape. Anthony Afriyie’s entry into the race represents a growing trend of community activists stepping into formal politics, armed with grassroots experience and a willingness to confront entrenched systems.

Whether he can secure a seat on the council remains to be seen. However, the momentum he has generated already underscores the power of civic engagement in shaping local governance. As the campaign season progresses, all eyes will be on the Stratford Community Center, where the town’s future will be debated, debated, and ultimately decided on Election Day—November 3, 2025.

Sources: Patch – “Stratford Election 2025: Anthony Afriyie Running for Town Council”; Stratford Town Clerk’s Office website; Stratford Community Center calendar; Local interviews.