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Dwyer Throws Hat In The Ring For State Senate Seat In Newtown

FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- Philip Dwyer of Fairfield officially announced his decision to run for state senator of the 28th District on Wednesday.

Philip Dwyer officially announced his candidacy for state senator on Wednesday.

Philip Dwyer officially announced his candidacy for state senator on Wednesday.

Photo Credit: Contributed

“It is an honor to be asked to run for the 28th State Senate District representing Easton, Fairfield, Newtown, Weston and Westport, and I look forward to meeting voters and discussing the issues that are important to them,” he said.

A Democrat, Dwyer looks to challenge current State Sen. Tony Hwang of Fairfield.

Dwyer notably served as president and CEO of the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA before his retirement in 2010.

During his 20 years of service at the Y, Dwyer headed several task groups aimed at identifying and assisting communities in need, both domestically and abroad, along with raising and managing multi-million dollar budgets for the organization.

In addition, Dwyer oversaw numerous major financial projects in Fairfield and New Haven county.

Since retiring, Dwyer has turned his attention to public service.

After stints on the Rye, N.Y., Board of Education and the Northampton County Council in Pennsylvania, Dwyer is currently the chair of the Fairfield Board of Education.

“More than ever, public education is being shaped by decisions made in Hartford,” he said Wednesday. “If given the opportunity, I would use my experience to craft strategic, goal-oriented solutions that would place more control and resources in the hands of locally elected officials.”

U.S. Congressman Jim Himes was among the first to speak out in support of Dwyer's candidacy.

“Phil has been a superb leader on the Fairfield Board of Education, as well as the dozens of projects he has spearheaded across state and region on behalf of the YMCA," Himes said. "I have seen firsthand the respect Phil has earned across the political spectrum and I know he has the knowledge and experience to address the challenges that face the different communities of the 28th district.”

Along with Himes, Fairfield Democratic Town Committee Chair Steven Sheinberg lauded Dwyer’s decision to run.

"Phil is a leader we all can believe in” Sheinberg said. “He is a man of accomplishment, vision and principle, and he has the courage in his convictions to run and represent the people of Fairfield and in all of the 28th district. The Fairfield Democrats are committed to working hard to elect Phil Dwyer as our next State Senator.”

Dwyer and his wife, Debby, have lived in Fairfield for 24 years. Their two children both graduated from Fairfield Public Schools.

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