Mayor John Harkins' Biography

 

John A. Harkins was sworn in as Stratford’s second Mayor on December 14th, 2009.  A lifelong resident of Stratford, Mayor Harkins has been serving his hometown in public office since his election to the Town Council (9th District) in 1995. As Councilman, he was Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Committee. He also served as Chairman of the Roosevelt Forest Commission.

 

One year later, John was elected to the Connecticut House of Representatives from the 120th District, comprising central Stratford, beginning his first of seven consecutive terms in the General Assembly in 1997.  As a State Representative, John served as Deputy Republican Leader at Large, as well as the Ranking Member of the General Assembly’s Select Committee on Veterans Affairs.  His past leadership appointments include serving as the House Republican Caucus Chairman, Assistant Minority Leader, and Ranking Member to the Transportation Committee and Select Committee on Aging.  During his legislative service, he was active in national organizations that work to enhance the ability of the General Assembly to better serve the people of our state. He was appointed in 1998 as the Connecticut Chair of the American Legislative Exchange Council, the nation’s largest bipartisan organization comprised of individual slate legislators. In 2004, he received the Legislator of the Year award from ALEC and in 2006 was selected to serve on ALEC’s national board of directors.

 

Mayor Harkins’ awards and recognitions include: “The American Legion Department of Connecticut Certificate Award as the 2009 Legislator of the Year”, the 2008 Bridgeport Regional Business Council AT&T “Regional Elected Official Award”, the 2004 Walter Wright “Community Spirit Award”, the 2001 Karl Sholanich Award for most valuable Republican, and in 2000 the Erin Jockers – Friends of Sterling House Award.

 

A lifelong resident of Stratford, Mayor Harkins has long been active in town affairs and civic groups: (Past President) Stratford Rotary Club, Bridgeport Regional Business Council, Stratford Republican Town Committee, Stratford Train Station Advisory Committee, SaveStratford.org, Raymark Advisory Committee, and St. Mark’s Catholic Church. He currently serves as co-chairman of the Bridgeport Regional Business Council’s Regional Legislative Caucus.

 

A graduate of the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma, Mayor Harkins holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance.  He is a designated SRA member of the Appraisal Institute.  He is co-owner of Harkins Appraisal Service and is a Corporator of The Milford Bank.

 

Born September 22, 1963, in Perth Amboy New Jersey, Mayor Harkins and his wife, Jody, have two daughters.