We-Ha.com is offering our readers the opportunity to meet the candidates running in the Nov. 4, 2025 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 2025 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 noted.

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. 4.

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.

TOWN COUNCIL CANDIDATE

Name: Ben Lewis

Party affiliation: Republican

Family information: I have a long-time girlfriend named Ashley, my Parents live out of state but have been extremely loving and supportive throughout my life.

Primary occupation:  I am President of the VIP program at Bleacher Breaks, I also work in their sales division as a show host.

Previous political experience: This is my first official political endeavor, however I have been involved with fundraisers and have attended political events for as long as I can remember. I am a lifelong conservative that has always followed the pulse of our country.

Other relevant experience that may be related to your desire to serve the community, and further qualifies you for the office you are seeking: My work leadership position and strong sales background has given me endless relevant experience. I have a strong understanding of people, and how to work across the aisle when we may disagree. I work for solutions that benefit the most people, and never approach a scenario with personal interests. I understand budgeting, and how to turn losses into profit for our town!

Why are you running for office? My decision to seek a seat on West Hartford Town Council arises from my love of the area and my community, and my sincere belief that my temperament, morality and commitment to the people of West Hartford can and will make a difference. In recent years our way of life has been threatened by an ever growing menace called Government. It was never the intent of the Founding Fathers for our government’s hand to be in everything we do and to override the will of the people and all while bankrupting us at the same time. The problems that hinder our government need to be fixed from within with a new focus, new ideas and a commitment to serving the people and not special interests.

There have recently been numerous residential and commercial developments approved by the Town Council, and it is likely that more will be considered during the upcoming Council term. What is your overall opinion of the pace of development in West Hartford? My belief is that slow and steady wins the race because there is only so much land and so many developments that West Hartford can sustain without it remaining the West Hartford we know and love. I’m much more about making the right decisions long term for West Hartford than ones based on expediency or pressure from developers who don’t represent the best interests of the greater community. I will focus much more on the single family home shortage in our town that is crushing families.

What are your specific ideas for keeping future budget increases to a minimum? Why is it assumed that the government should spend more every year? If elected, the budget will be the first thing I examine and specifically where the budget can be cut. There is no question that any government is replete with fraud, abuse and waste. We have a certain responsibility to the working men and women that pay taxes in West Hartford to spend their money wisely even if it doesn’t benefit us as a gubernatorial body. Each monetary consideration must be viewed under the microscope of a cost benefit analysis regardless of the influence of the presenting party. I will fight to implement Zero Based Budgeting in order to boost transparency and eliminate waste.

How do you think the town will need to/be able to respond to cuts in federal aid to education, Medicaid, and food assistance? West Hartford is a vibrant, self sustaining community that will persevere in the event there is a cut back in federal aid. We have evolved into a society of dependency on government for too long and we should look at this as an opportunity to do better by cutting down on government largesse so we can always be there for those truly in need.

Do national issues affect your approach to local governance, and if so, how? National issues will never affect my work on the town council. My decision making is based solely off principle, ethics, and common sense. With the constant national noise, we are often blinded to the fact that we are all Americans that want what is best for one another. Partisanship should never decay our core principles.

What do you feel is the biggest challenge facing West Hartford today, and how do you plan to address it if elected? The biggest challenge that faces West Hartford at this moment is irresponsible budgeting. This is the main reason we raise taxes in our town like it is an annual holiday. We need transparency, accountability, and leadership from the Town when forming the budget. Zero Based Budgeting is a must, and it will only be implemented under Republican leadership.

What do you feel differentiates you from the candidates from other parties – or your own party – who are also running for this position? The fact that I have lived in 5 states and was raised primarily in Florida, a state that prides itself on small government and low taxes has exposed me to different perspectives that make me a stronger candidate. As the youngest candidate in the race, I owe no favors to anyone and am free from outside influences. My youthful perspective offers a fresh, unobstructed viewpoint and new ideas to a council that must embrace what has worked in the past while being open to change so we can continue to evolve and prosper.

My loyalty is to the people of West Hartford, and I will never put party affiliation over what is right for our town. The two party system has polarized America too much and I pledge that every voice in West Hartford will be heard regardless of party affiliation.

Anything else you would like to share relevant to earning votes on Nov. 4? I would like to encourage all the citizens of West Hartford to attend a campaign event and meet the candidates personally. Regretfully, all too often many form their opinions based on social media from sources or individuals that have an agenda. You deserve it to yourself and to the community to meet the candidates yourself and to form your own opinion of who you believe will be best for West Hartford. I welcome the opportunity to meet each and every one of you and to hear your thoughts, concerns, and ideas on how we can all work together to make West Hartford better.

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