Former council member seeks to represent 4th District again

STRATFORD — Former Town Council member David Harden is seeking to return to his old seat on the council after a twoyear absence.

Harden, a Democrat who served three terms before he was forced to sit out the last election to satisfy term limit requirements, is hoping to once again represent Stratford’s 4th District.

“I have a lot of unfinished business,” Harden said. “When I was the councilman of the district for six years, my district was thriving and economic development was great. I want to keep that momentum rolling.”

Among other things, Harden said he plans to address blight issues, safety concerns and flooding problems facing the district if he emerges victorious in the fall election and wins back a spot on the council.

Though he described himself as a “true-heart Democrat,” Harden said he is also eager to work alongside Republican Mayor Laura Hoydick and the GOP council members who currently make up a majority of the 10-member body.

“I think the town is heading in a good direction,” he said. “We have a great mayor who works with both sides, Republican

and Democrat. I think it’s good for the town, it’s good for the residents and it’s fair for the voters.”

Harden is the first candidate to file paperwork to run in the heavily Democratic district, which borders Bridgeport’s East End, according to Democratic Registrar of Voters James Simon.

The 4th District seat is currently held by firstterm council member Kim Rice, a union activist who works at the state’s Department of Social Services. Rice, who did not return a request for comment, has not yet announced if she plans to run for reelection.

But Democratic Town Committee Chairperson Kathleen Callahan said Thursday she expects Rice will seek a second term and anticipates the local party will endorse her for reelection.

“Kim has been an excellent councilor for the residents,” Callahan said, referring to her advocacy for sidewalk improvements and flooding mitigation projects.

The town committee is scheduled to endorse candidates for the upcoming local races, including the Board of Education and various land use boards, in late July.

Harden, who has clashed with local Democratic leaders in recent years, said he does not plan to seek the party’s endorsement and is aiming to collect enough signatures to force a September primary.

Harden has attributed his strained relationship with the town committee to past support for Republican-backed candidates and proposals. He has also come under fire from fellow party members who have accused him of campaign violations.

In 2021, the State Elections Enforcement Commission fined Harden $300 for not properly collecting signatures as part of petition drive. The ruling came after Steve Taccogna, the then-chairperson of the local party, filed a complaint with the commission.

Despite the rift with party officials, Harden said he thinks residents will support his campaign. He said he plans to emphasize his past work on the council to convince voters to back him for a new term, including bipartisan efforts to introduce community policing initiatives and upgrade the facilities at Franklin

Elementary School.

“It’s not about me and it’s not about the party line. It’s about the community,” Harden said. “I’m looking forward to working well with others, even the people who have no faith in me.”