Rea running for Stratford mayor to give citizens a chance

Mayoral candidate Andrew Rea is running for mayor of Stratford in the 2026 municipal election.

By: Amanda Nelson

Andrew Rea is running for mayor of Stratford to give citizens a chance, he says. A chance to no longer feel brushed off, unheard or unsupported.

“I don't think I'm alone in the belief that our locals have been deprived of proper municipal accountability, transparency and relatability from their appointed public servants,” he said. “The road to the acquisition of these important aspects cannot be paved by anyone whose aspiration may include seeking a workplace promotion, or some potentially self-serving opportunity to further a personal interest or business agenda.”

Rea regularly attends council meetings and follows local issues closely, and he believes Stratford residents should not be treated like numbers or statistics, but rather as diverse individuals who share local values.

“This role is largely about making choices, which should never be done according to one's own partisan values, but rather always in the best interests of our citizens,” said Rea. “I refuse to see people as numbers or statistics, because I know firsthand what it's like to be seen that way, along with the negative effects of being governed by those with virtually no skin in the game.”

Affordability, health-care access, aging infrastructure, growth, sustainability and municipal governance are at the forefront of Rea’s mind, and he says he plans to address ongoing issues by holding officials accountable.

“I plan on holding everyone who was fortunate enough to be gifted the privilege and entrusted with the position of being a public servant accountable for their decisions, including most of all, myself, if it comes to be,” he said. “The mayor has a duty to ensure that the best interests of the populace within the city they are overseeing are always placed first and foremost, even and especially before their own.”

Rea says he believes a mayor should represent everyone through the ability and willingness to challenge flawed systems, understand the value of effective reform and not rely on social status to create credible leadership.

“The role of mayor should be to ensure results,” he said. “Not the promise of results; not results that come after a second, third or even fourth term of political tenure, but proactive, effective results that the majority of our municipality can get behind.”

The mayoral candidate is fully self-funded and says he doesn’t believe in taking other people’s money to help fund his campaign. He believes any funding from citizens should instead be reallocated to local charities.

“I don't believe in overspending other people's money, or my own, when times are tough enough, and I don't think you need to have an overtly expensive campaign budget in order to get your message across to people,” said Rea. “This is the 21st century, and we live in the digital age – it is possible to be both modern and frugal.”

The 37-year-old says he understands he’s much younger than others running this fall, but he believes he is up for the challenge and knows he can be the voice of the community.

“All I am is a person who has only been trying to make my way living in this city that means so much to me, just like everyone else,” said Rea. “I was reluctant to actually run for office, given how different that would make my daily life, but I'm still taking the chance that's come along, in order to do something meaningful, and to make a brighter future here, for my daughter, and everyone else.”

Residents can email Rea directly at bestmayorever2026@gmail.com, or through direct message on his Facebook page.