Madison Democratic Town Committee

Our Mission.

To represent the Democratic Party in Madison by working to elect and/or appoint the best people to public office at the local, state and national levels, and to promote public programs and policies in line with our Democratic values.

Connecticut Democratic State Central Committee proclamation on ICE in Connecticut

Good people in CT are looking to the Democratic Party to provide leadership.

TO ALL CT DTCs concerning the atrocities of ICE in CT:

The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is roving through our

neighborhoods arresting people at work, in courtrooms, in the street, at home, wherever

they decide to apprehend someone who doesn’t look like a European-American.

They are masked and violent. They operate in complete disregard for the US

Constitution.

As the CT Democratic Party State Central Committee, we urge all active Democrats in

CT to monitor the activities of ICE and help protect our residents. Each town has a DTC

and we are all different. How each reacts depends on the thinking of their DTC.

We ask every DTC to read this message at their meeting, discuss the clear and present

danger to our rights, and develop legal methods to resist this danger.

IGNORING ICE, hoping they will go away, WON’T WORK. Hiding our views,

overlooking the attack on the Constitution, will not protect us. Things will only get worse.

Only active, legal resistance will get us safely through this crisis.

We need to support anyone illegally arrested and protect our elected officials who are

targeted. We stand with our Governor and other state officials, trusting them to make full

use of the Trust Act, and any other legal tools we have to protect our rights.

We should join hands with Indivisible and other like-minded groups working to legally

resist this threat.

The Democratic Party and our nation will get through this stronger and with our rights

intact because we act together. Anything less opens the door to dictatorship. This is the

lesson of history.

Seth Klaskin

Candidate for Judge of Probate
34th District

“I am running because I will bring uncommon compassion, fairness, patience and public administration skills to the role of Probate Judge to ensure the empathetic and efficient administration of justice.”

More about Seth

Bob Reinhardt

Candidate for Board of Finance

“I am committed to using my leadership and financial management experience to strengthen Madison’s fiscal health, plan for the future, and maintain transparency in town finances.”

Bob Reinhardt has been a Madison resident for eight years and is the retired President and CEO of Defibtech, a Connecticut-based medical device company that designs and manufactures life-saving defibrillators. Under his leadership, the company grew sales by 75%, expanded local manufacturing, and maintained a mission-driven focus on saving lives. He also served as Group Vice President of Service and Strategic Marketing for Olympus, overseeing more than 700 employees and multiple repair centers nationwide.

In Madison, Bob currently serves as Vice Chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission, where he helped complete the town’s new Plan of Conservation and Development. He also chaired the American Rescue Plan Funding Advisory Committee, guiding the allocation of funds to infrastructure, economic development, community support, and the arts.

Bob brings proven leadership, financial expertise, and a collaborative approach to the Board of Finance, with a focus on transparency, long-term planning, and strengthening the town’s fiscal health.

Maureen Lewis

Candidate for Board of Education

“I am running for re-election to build on Madison’s record of academic excellence, support our exceptional educators, and ensure every student has the tools to thrive.”

Maureen Lewis has served on the Madison Board of Education since 2021 and currently chairs the Personnel Committee. In this role, she has helped negotiate fair and fiscally responsible contracts that attract and retain outstanding educators, while supporting the district’s commitment to excellence.

A Madison resident for more than 20 years, Maureen has held numerous leadership positions in the community, including PTO President at multiple schools and Chair of the Parent Representative Council. Her two decades of volunteer service give her a strong connection to the parent perspective and a deep understanding of what students, families, and staff need to thrive.

Professionally, Maureen has nearly 20 years of experience in nonprofit development, where she built strong partnerships to advance important causes. She is running for re-election to continue fostering student success, supporting exceptional staff, and maintaining Madison’s standing as one of the top school districts in the state.

John Zaaijer

Candidate for Zoning Board of Appeals

“I am running to help Madison grow and prosper while ensuring our zoning laws are applied fairly, consistently, and in the best interest of residents.“

John Zaaijer has been a Madison resident since 2016, following a 40-year career in the ocean transportation industry where he held senior managerial roles in vessel operations, sales, marketing, and trade management. His work took him across the Caribbean, Europe, and the Middle East, honing skills in negotiation, problem-solving, and stakeholder coordination.

Since retiring to Madison, John has been an active community volunteer, serving as a driver for Meals on Wheels and as a member of the Madison Democratic Town Committee’s Selection Committee. For the past two years, he has also served on the Zoning Board of Appeals, applying his professional experience to complex local land use decisions.

John is committed to ensuring that the Board’s decisions uphold Madison’s zoning regulations while supporting thoughtful growth and maintaining the town’s unique character.

Jessica Wilen

Candidate for Board of Education

“As a parent with two children in Madison Public Schools, I am running to ensure our district prioritizes student well-being, adopts thoughtful and balanced approaches to technology, and fosters clear, transparent communication between families and the Board.”

Jessica Wilen, Ph.D., LCSW, PCC, is an educator, leadership coach, and parent of two students at Neck River Elementary School. With nearly 20 years of experience in higher education, social work, and organizational development, she is committed to ensuring that every Madison student has access to high-quality, student-centered learning environments.

Jessica holds degrees from Washington University in St. Louis and Bryn Mawr College. She has served as Assistant Dean of Students at Washington University, Assistant Professor at the Yale Child Study Center, and Director of Professional Standards and Deputy Title IX Coordinator at Yale School of Medicine. In these roles, she has led crisis response teams, provided leadership coaching, conducted organizational assessments, and addressed issues of climate and culture.

Through her executive coaching and consulting practice, Jessica supports academic leaders, high-achieving working parents, and professionals navigating complex challenges. She is running for the Board of Education to prioritize student well-being, encourage thoughtful technology use, and strengthen communication between families and the district.

Kit Wilcox

Candidate for Zoning Board of Appeals (Alternate)

“I am running for the Zoning Board of Appeals (Alternate) to bring my experience in zoning and community service back home to Madison, ensuring that every decision is fair, balanced, and made in the best interest of our residents.“

Kit Wilcox is a lifelong Madison resident who graduated from Daniel Hand High School in 1997. After earning degrees from Gateway Community College and Quinnipiac University—where he studied Political Science and Philosophy—Kit became deeply involved in local government and community service.

While living in Guilford, he served six years on the Zoning Board of Appeals, where he reviewed requests for variances and appeals of zoning enforcement rulings. He also served on the Guilford Democratic Town Committee and its Nomination Committee, the Hazard Mitigation Committee, and as Deputy Registrar of Voters. His experience gives him both a strong foundation in zoning regulations and a proven commitment to civic engagement.

Now back in Madison with his wife, Kit is eager to bring his knowledge and experience to the Zoning Board of Appeals. He is committed to applying Madison’s zoning regulations fairly, listening carefully to residents, and ensuring thoughtful, balanced decisions for the community.

Emily Rosenthal

Candidate for Board of Education

“I am running to maintain and strengthen our student-centered approach to learning, support our dedicated educators, and keep Madison’s schools among the best in the state.”

Emily Rosenthal has lived in Madison since 2012 with her husband and their two children, both students in Madison Public Schools. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Harvard University and master’s degrees in social work and public health from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Emily has served on the Board of Education since 2017, currently as a member of the Executive Committee and Chair of the Facilities Committee. She has also contributed to the Policy, Finance, and Curriculum Committees, guiding the district through key transitions, including redistricting, a superintendent search, pandemic response, and a major facilities renewal plan.

Professionally, Emily works with towns and community coalitions to address youth mental health needs and prevent substance use. She is a collaborative leader dedicated to maintaining Madison’s exceptional schools, supporting educators, and advocating for policies that put children first.

Dylan Stella

Candidate for Zoning Board of Appeals

“I am running to serve Madison with energy and integrity, and to inspire younger generations to take an active role in shaping our community’s future.“

Dylan Stella is a lifelong Madison resident and a 2025 graduate of Quinnipiac University with a degree in Economics. In 2021, at just 18 years old, he launched a successful write-in campaign for an Alternate seat on the Zoning Board of Appeals, becoming one of the youngest people in Connecticut elected to public office.

Over the past four years, Dylan has built a perfect attendance record and frequently served as a voting member of the Board. He approaches each case with fairness and objectivity, balancing safety, property values, and the interests of both property owners and neighbors while applying the town’s zoning regulations.

Dedicated to civic engagement, Dylan is committed to continuing his service as a full member of the Zoning Board of Appeals, ensuring that every decision is made with integrity and in the best interest of Madison’s residents.

Jude Hession

Candidate for Board of Finance

“I want to continue bringing a fiscally responsible perspective to the Board of Finance, protecting taxpayers’ interests and preserving the public’s voice on major town decisions.”

Jude Hession has lived in Madison for 30 years and is the parent of a Madison Public Schools graduate. An attorney with 35 years of experience in securities and business litigation, she has worked in both prominent law firms and the insurance and financial services industries.

Jude has served the town in multiple roles, including on the Police Commission, the Pension and Benefits Boards, and the Board of Assessment Appeals. She is now seeking re-election to the Board of Finance, where she has been a steady advocate for fiscal responsibility, transparency, and protecting the community’s right to vote on significant town matters.

Jude brings a socially liberal yet financially conservative perspective to the Board, working to balance the needs of residents with prudent, long-term financial planning.

Randy Ruotolo

Candidate for Board of Assessment Appeals

“I am running to bring my decades of experience in property valuation and housing to the Board of Assessment Appeals, ensuring a fair and transparent process for every resident.“

Randy M. Ruotolo has been a Madison resident since 2018 and brings more than 40 years of experience in the electric utility industry, as well as more than 25 years of experience as the owner of multiple residential rental properties in New Haven and Hamden.

Raised in Guilford, Randy is a graduate of Rutgers University and holds an MBA from the University of New Haven. His public service record includes elected terms on the Guilford Board of Education and the New Haven Board of Aldermen, as well as leadership roles with the New Haven Equal Opportunity Commission, the New Haven Red Cross, and the Environmental Commission in Piscataway, NJ.

In Madison, Randy serves on the Board of Assessment Appeals and volunteers with Friends of Hammonasset and Yale New Haven Hospital. He is seeking election to continue applying his expertise in housing, property valuation, and public service to ensure fair and transparent assessment appeal decisions.