We-Ha.com is offering our readers the opportunity to meet the candidates running in the Nov. 2, 2021 municipal election. 

Compiled by Ronni Newton

We-Ha.com is offering our readers the opportunity to “Meet the Candidate” – designed to help them get to know the candidates running for office in the 2021 municipal election.

Identical questionnaires have been sent to all candidates, and each profile received has been submitted directly to We-Ha.com by the candidate or the candidate’s campaign management. The responses have not been edited but have been formatted to match our publication style. Questions left blank have been deleted.

As profiles are received, they will be published on We-Ha.com under the “Government” tab. We-Ha.com is not making endorsements of any political candidates but we are publishing this information in order to assist voters in being informed and prepared when they go to the polls on Nov. 2.

If you are a candidate and wish to submit a profile, please return it by email to Ronni Newton at [email protected] as soon as possible.

Name: Alberto Cortes

Age: 44

Party, position seeking: Republican, Town Council

Family information: I am married to Jessica Serrano for 21 years and we have 2 boys, Gabriel who currently attends King Phillip Middle School and Adrian who has graduated for the Post-Secondary School in West Hartford.

Other occupation, if applicable: Retired Corrections Officer

Political experience: none

Other relevant experience: I currently serve as the vice chairperson for the West Hartford Civilian Police Review Board, West Hartford United Methodist Church Racial Justice Activation Team, WHUMC Church Council, and former Walk Chair for Greater Hartford Autism Speaks. While employed for CT Department of Corrections I was a Union Steward for AFSCME Local 387 and 391. I also had the honor of serving as a member of the West Hartford Veterans Affairs Commission.

Why are you running for office? I have lived in West Hartford for over twenty years and have seen a trend of West Hartford becoming unaffordable for families and seniors who wish to live in West Hartford for the rest of their lives. As residents we continue to sacrifice financially and spending in town continues to grow. We need to find more efficient ways of doing business.

What issue(s) are your primary area of focus? Creating a business-friendly community, affordability and public safety.

What do you feel is the biggest issue facing West Hartford today, and how do you plan to address it if elected? One of the biggest issues facing West Hartford today is the increase on crime in town. Cars continue to get vandalized while we sleep and since 2020, we have had 4 carjackings in West Hartford. I will put pressure on our state legislators to make sure repeat offenders are held accountable for their actions so we can reduce the crime rate in our communities.

What do you feel differentiates you from other candidates also running for this position? I am new to politics so I am coming with an open mind and fresh ideas. With my military experience, career as a Corrections Officer and involvement within our community I know how important it is to work as a team. It is not about who is the majority/minority party, it is about putting our residents first and as a team we need to make sure all of our residents have a voice when it comes to the future of West Hartford.

Anything else you would like to share? I have advocated for healthcare in the autism community, protected the rights of workers while working for the Department of Corrections and I have served the public for over 20 years. My first priority is making sure the residents of West Hartford come first and to ensure that all of our resident’s voices are heard. I am asking for your support on November 2nd so that I can continue to serve this great community.

Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford! Click the blue button below to become a supporter of We-Ha.com and our efforts to continue producing quality journalism.