Sebastian Giuliano – Candidate for Mayor
Sebastian was born in 1952 to Nicholas Joseph Giuliano and Florence Marion (Misenti) Giuliano, who resided in a three-room apartment on the second floor at 634 Main Street in Middletown. He attended St. Sebastian School on Green Street and Xavier High School. His early years were spent on the streets of downtown Middletown where, along with his school friends, as well as his cousins, they were completely safe and happy; all the local merchants knew them and watched over them like extra sets of parents.
After High School, he went on to undergraduate college at West Point and Boston College, and then to law school at The Catholic University of America where he met Paula, who became his wife and the mother of their three children. They made their home here and, after twenty-seven years in the legal profession, he decided it was time to give back, dedicating his time as Mayor of Middletown, on the Middletown Common Council, the Planning & Zoning Commission, and the Board of Fire Commissioners for the South Fire District. He has also served on numerous boards, committees, authorities and organizations – public and private, civic and religious.
Middletown is a community that has given much to him and his family; and he believes he has an obligation to pay it forward to others who live here. For that reason, he views public service as the least that he can do to make Middletown a better place for future generations.
If the definition of “success” is “the progressive realization of a worthwhile dream or goal,” then his dream is of a Middletown that is prosperous, fiscally healthy and stable, with a growing tax base, better infrastructure, a school system committed to excellence, and a better quality of life for all its residents – and his goal is to make it a reality. Realizing that goal will take determination – to do what will be necessary, undeterred by the criticism that always accompanies hard decisions. It is a challenge that he has previously taken up, and from which he does not shrink from now.
Christopher Cardella
(Chris Cardella Biography)
Robin Goss – Candidate for Board of Education
Robin was born and raised in New Haven and has lived in Middletown for over 30 years. She is a graduate of Georgetown University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. Robin is a dedicated and compassionate professional who has devoted her career to improving patient outcomes with a patient-centered approach. She is seeking a seat on the Board of Education to help improve student outcomes with a student-centered approach.
Robin comes from the private sector where results matter. She is a strong critical thinker with an independent mind. She is thoughtful in her analysis and open to discussion. Robin believes well intended policies should be evaluated for their effectiveness in improving student outcomes and in preparing students for life after graduation. MPS students should graduate with the reading, writing and math skills necessary to succeed in life whether they are bound for college, the military, technical school, or the workforce. Objective budget analysis is necessary to evaluate how the money is spent and where cuts can be made to reallocate funding directly to students in the classroom. Robin hopes to be another voice of reason on the Board of Education with your support.
Adam Hayn – Candidate for Board of Education
Adam is seeking reelection after filling a two-year vacancy. He has lived in Middletown all his life, attending Bielefield Elementary, Keigwin Middle, and Woodrow Wilson Middle prior to Attending Xavier High. He is proud husband and father of one (soon to be two!).
He holds bachelors degrees in psychology and education, as well as a masters in US History. Spending the first portion of his education career in Middletown Public Schools as a substitute teacher and math tutor and latter portion for Plainville Public Schools as both a special ed and math tutor, he’s developed an understanding what it takes to serve struggling students. During his time in Plainville, he served a term as the paraprofessional and tutor union president.
Pursuing his entrepreneurial spirit, he took a break from education to run his embroidery and printing business.
…and was called right back. Serving on the Middletown Board of Ed is a thankless job if you do it for the wrong reasons. Adam experiences gratitude on a daily basis, with God as his strength and compass for every action. During his time on the BOE, Adam has served on the curriculum community as a strong advocate for rigor in the classroom and has voted with accountability in mind.
Kimberly Riordan – Candidate for Board of Education
Kim Riordan is running for the Middletown Board of Education because she cares deeply about our schools and the students they serve. Middletown has been her home for most of her life. It is where she met her husband, raised her children, and is now blessed enough to have her grandchildren close by to share in this same wonderful community.
Her commitment to education runs deep. Kim began her educational journey at Middlesex Community College (now CT State/Middlesex) before transferring to Central Connecticut State University, earning a Mathematics degree, and launching a lifelong career in education. She began as a middle school math teacher at St. John School in Middletown where she spent ten meaningful years guiding young learners through one of the most critical phases of their academic lives. After that, she transitioned to higher education, returning to Middlesex Community College, this time as an adjunct faculty member teaching students who were underprepared for college level math courses. Concurrently, she worked on a collaboration between Middlesex and Middletown Adult Education offering a transitional strategies program aimed at helping MAE graduates transition to college math. In 2018, she secured her current position as the Math Support Specialist where she continues to serve students on their path to achieving their goals.
Kim is especially concerned about student performance in reading and math. These core skills lay the foundation for lifelong learning and opportunity, and she wants to help strengthen support in these areas. She also believes education should connect more directly to real-life experiences—through vocational training, practical skills, and career exploration—to help students feel empowered and prepared for their futures.
When elected, I will bring a collaborative, informed voice to the Board, rooted in firsthand teaching experience, a lifelong connection to Middletown, and a belief in education as one of the most powerful tools we have to build a stronger, more vibrant community.
Lucas Antonius José Chaves – Candidate for Planning & Zoning
Lucas, a dedicated candidate for Planning and Zoning, has been a proud resident of Middletown since 2021. His wife, Silvia, joined him here two years ago, further solidifying their shared vision of building a life rooted in the city they now call home. Their family expanded on May 21st, 2025, with the birth of their son ¨Baby Lucas,¨ marking a new and joyful chapter in their lives.
He began his career in construction right after high school, working with his hands on major job sites including schools and government buildings. Professionally, Lucas brings a wealth of experience in real estate, a field in which he has been in since 2010 while simultaneously working full-time and eventually making it his main career. Over his more than a decade-long tenure, he has developed a comprehensive understanding of urban planning, property development, and the housing market, equipping him with the expertise to address complex zoning issues and advocate for smart, innovative growth. His background has also instilled in him a practical, result-driven approach to solving problems while staying connected to the real-world concerns of residents and stakeholders.
At the core of Lucas’ leadership is a deeply held faith that informs every decision he makes. His guiding principle is to place God first, ensuring that his actions align with a commitment to integrity, fairness, and the greater good. This foundation of faith motivates him to work tirelessly to create policies and plans that honor Middletown’s traditions while paving the way for a prosperous future. Lucas is unwavering in his belief that tax-paying citizens deserve fair and meaningful representation in planning and zoning matters, and he is committed to ensuring that the voices of the community remain at the forefront of his efforts. It is important to him that citizens can cultivate as much agriculture and a self-sufficient healthy lifestyle as possible and will work with city officials to make that happen.
Tyler Ekstrom – Candidate for Planning & Zoning
Tyler Eckstrom is a native of Middletown. He attended Saint John’s School from Kindergarten to 8th grade, graduating in 2012. Then he moved onto Xavier High School, where he graduated with high honors in 2016, earning numerous academic awards. That same fall, Tyler began his time at Middlesex Community College in the Honors Program. Earning both and Associate in General Studies and in Business Studies in 2019, he transferred to Central Connecticut State University and finished out his Bachelor’s in Marketing in the Fall of 2020. Tyler has also served our country, starting in the United States Coast Guard as an Auxiliarist in 2017. Eventually he made his way up to be a Flotilla Commander for a year in 2022. In addition to that, he has served as a soldier in Connecticut Governors Guard since 2020, currently holding the rank of Sergeant (E-5) and actively working to support the CT National Guard. Tyler’s other activities include being a part of the Save Pameacha Pond movement, which eventually became Friends of Pameacha Pond & Long Hill Brook LLC. Tyler is a new era Republican, dedicated to preserving our history, traditional values, and natural environment, while allowing room for the growth and development of the future. He is truly a candidate for all residents, not just Republicans. Tyler has a great ability to work with the Democratic side, build strong connections, and get things done. A different point of view from the mainstream is important, and if you’re looking for that then Tyler Eckstrom is your candidate.
“There’s nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer” -Lt. Col. Jimmy Doolittle
Vinny Szynkowicz
Vinny Szynkowicz is a candidate for Planning & Zoning. He graduated college in 1976 with an Associates’ degree in Communications. Currently he is employed by the State of Connecticut as an elevator inspector after retiring from the elevator trade with 41 years of service.
He has previously served as a commissioner on Planning & Zoning from 2013- 2017. He is looking forward to representing the citizens of Middletown, again.
Konrad Lenart – Candidate for Planning & Zoning Alternate
Konrad Bio
Konrad is a dedicated professional, husband, and father who has called Middletown home since 2016, when he and his wife purchased their family home on the Westfield side of town. Together, they are proud parents of two young boys who inspire much of Konrad’s drive and purpose. Originally from Meriden, he graduated from Maloney High School in 2000 and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 2001 to honor the opportunities this country provided. Following his military service, Konrad earned a Bachelor’s in Finance at CCSU in 2008 and a Master’s in Healthcare Administration at UNH in 2014.
His professional journey includes impactful roles in healthcare and aerospace, including positions at Yale Health, UConn Health, Sikorsky, ECHN and currently as Business Manager at Bridgeport Hospital. With a background in construction and home renovations, plus the successful launch of a mobile tech application, Konrad brings a unique combination of hands-on experience and strategic thinking to the Planning and Zoning Committee. He is honored to serve the City of Middletown and contribute to its continued growth.