Patch Candidate Profile: Heather Russell For New Canaan Town Council

NEW CANAAN, CT — Election Day on Nov. 4 is fast approaching, and there are a number of key races on the ballot.

Patch reached out to candidates for office to get more information on their campaigns and the issues that are facing their towns.

Candidate's Name:

Heather Russell

What office are you seeking?

I am running for a seat on the Town Council.

What town do you live in?

New Canaan, Connecticut

Campaign Website

Party Affiliation:

Democrat

Occupation:

Communications at JPMorganChase

Family:

My husband and I have lived in New Canaan for nearly seven years, and our two daughters attend New Canaan Public Schools. Our dog, Michael, is a regular at Spencer's Dog Park.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

Previous public office, appointive or elective:

No.

Why are you seeking this office?

I’m running because I want New Canaan to work better for the families who live here. This town gives so much to its residents, yet many of our programs still assume there’s a parent or grandparent home during the day. The town's day camp ends midday. Sports lessons and art classes are held mid-morning. Families where both parents work often can’t take part, and their children miss out. We can do better.

I also want town government to be easier to follow. Our websites are out of date and confusing. Residents should be able to see what’s coming up, what decisions are being made and how to share their views.

My job at Chase is to make complicated things clear and to build trust through honest communication. I’d like to bring that same approach to Town Hall.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is making New Canaan work for families.

New Canaan is a wonderful place to live. The quality of life here is high. There is more right than wrong, and that is the truth. We have great schools, safe streets, good parks, and easy access to the city and its jobs. Few towns in America offer so much.

Still, there are gaps that touch every stage of life. Much of what the town provides was built in an age when one parent stayed home. That no longer fits how many families live now.

Early childcare is scarce. There is only one full-time infant daycare, and it took me three years on the waiting list to get a spot. Town camps end at noon. Tennis lessons and art classes take place mid-morning. Even the daycares we have close by 5:30, which means many parents race to make pickup on time.

Younger adults have little reason to stay here once they leave school. That may be fine, but it is worth asking what kind of town we want to be. For families, housing costs are a wall. And older residents who want to stay near friends and familiar streets find that downsizing means paying almost as much for less space. New condos are often built for the luxury market, not for people who simply want a smaller home. Young families and retirees are often competing for the same space.

The same problem touches the people who serve this town—teachers, firefighters, police officers, town workers. They can’t afford to live here.

Housing that meets the needs of all kinds of people should not be seen as a burden from the state. It should be seen as part of caring for our own. A healthy town makes room for everyone who helps keep it strong, from young families to retirees to the people who work here each day.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I bring both skill and perspective. My work has always been about listening, explaining and helping large groups stay connected. I know how to take complex information and make it easy to grasp.

I also live the same daily juggle as many families here, trying to balance work, school and community life.

My focus is practical: small, steady changes that make life in this town a little easier.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

I want to help the town modernize how it shares news and decisions. People should be able to go online and quickly see what’s being discussed and when.

I’d also like to see more programs for children and families offered after work and on weekends. That would help parents stay involved and give kids more chances to grow and play.

I’ll always keep an eye on what matters most—strong schools, careful spending, and the sense of community that makes New Canaan home.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I’ve built a career helping organizations earn trust through clear speech and steady leadership. At Chase, I lead communication efforts that bring large teams together and keep people informed. Before that, I helped an independent school for children with learning differences strengthen its outreach and guide families through the pandemic. Earlier in my career, I worked on projects that opened doors to the arts for young people and helped revive downtown Houston.

Across all of it, the goal has been the same: bring people together, make information clear and follow through. Those are the habits I’d bring to serving New Canaan.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Listen first. Keep your word. Do the work.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

New Canaan is full of people who care about this town and each other.

My goal is to make it easier for them to stay involved—to understand what’s happening, find programs that fit their lives, and know their voices matter.

I’ll bring the steadiness of a professional communicator and the care of a neighbor who wants the town she loves to work well for everyone.