Samantha Nestor

Candidate for First Selectman (Democratic)

Election: November 4, 2025 Status: Incumbent Party: Democratic

Quick Facts

• Age: 49 (as of 2019 election)¹
• Current Position: First Selectwoman of Weston, CT²
• Assumed Office: August 2, 2021 (appointed after Christopher Spaulding resigned)
• Previous Election: Won November 2023 with 1,791 votes (60% of total)³
• Contact: Available via Town Hall
• Education: BS in Communications, Art History, Cornell University (1988-1992)⁴

Political Career

First Selectwoman (2021-Present)

• Appointed: August 2, 2021, following First Selectman Christopher Spaulding's resignation due to health issues⁵
• Elected: November 2023 (defeated Republican Stephan Grozinger and write-in Martin Mohabeer)³
• Current Term: Seeking re-election in November 2025

Second Selectwoman (2018-2021)

• Appointed to Board of Selectmen on December 6, 2018⁶
• Filled the term of the late Brian Gordon⁶
• Nominated by the Democratic Town Committee on November 30, 2018⁷

Board of Education (2017-2018)

• Elected to Board of Education in 2017⁶
• Resigned when appointed to Board of Selectmen in December 2018⁶

Marketing and Communications Advisory Committee

• Served as Chair before joining Board of Selectmen⁶
• Resigned upon appointment to Board of Selectmen⁶

Professional Background

Chrysanthemum Partners (2010-Present)

• Position: Founder and Partner⁴
• Description: Full-service integrated marketing, creative, and brand development firm⁴
• Focus: Strategic communications consultancy advising domestic and international luxury brands⁸
• Co-Founder: Christie Boyle⁸

Previous Professional Experience

• Marketing & Communications Director, New York Design Center⁷
• Special Projects Manager, Elle Decor magazine⁴
• Special Projects Editor, Metropolitan Home Magazine⁴
• Non-profit and Cultural Arts Sector: The Frick Collection⁴
  • Instituted the Young Fellows program
  • Created the corporate event program

Published Works

• "The Luxury Bathroom" (Potter Style, Random House, 2008)⁹
• "Living with Wine" (Potter Style, Random House, 2009)⁹

Campaign Platform

Four Pillars (Original Platform)¹⁰

1. Infrastructure: Road improvements, town facilities maintenance
2. Economic Development: Creative financing, supporting local business
3. Public Safety: Police/Fire/EMS expansion and support
4. Community: Engagement, transparency, responsive government

Key Initiatives ("Weston 2.0")¹¹

• Town Green development
• Library expansion
• Sidewalk improvements
• Police/Fire/EMS expansion
• Strategic road improvement planning

Goals

• Lower tax burdens
• Increase home values
• Develop S.M.A.R.T. goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Bound)
• Ensure transparent, responsive government
• Collaborative, timely, cost-conscious financial decisions

Key Positions & Statements

Leadership Philosophy

"I'm running for Selectwoman because the BoS needs different perspectives, especially from working moms. I'm striving to change the culture by setting an example."

"Be brave and listen. If you are going to represent your town, you must be open to ideas and listen to residents."

"I am grateful and humbled to be chosen to serve out the remaining term of Brian Gordon. I hope to honor his memory by serving this Town well through listening and collaboration and always looking for the most creative solutions for the most positive outcomes."

Community Engagement

• Knocked on over 1,400 doors during initial campaign to understand resident concerns
• Physical and virtual office door "always open" to hear from Weston residents
• Emphasizes collaborative leadership and community engagement

Professional Approach

• Leverages background in strategic communications, design, real estate, arts, media, and non-profits
• Focuses on creative financing for community needs
• Brings perspective as a working mother to town governance

Major Issues & Controversies

T-Mobile Cell Tower Dispute (2025)

• Issue: T-Mobile shut down cell service at tower on Norfield Road¹²
• Nestor's Position: T-Mobile appears to be trying "to intimidate a small town"¹²
• Status: Both sides express desire to continue negotiations (as of September 2025)¹²

Antisemitism Response (March 2025)

• Statement: "We are deeply saddened and angered by any acts of hate in Weston. These incidents do not align with our community values and will not be accepted."¹³
• Actions Taken:
  • Collaborating with Anti-Defamation League Connecticut¹³
  • Working with Weston Board of Education and interfaith clergy¹³
  • Planning to engage expert for messaging and community initiatives¹³
  • Organized community conversation "Together Against Antisemitism" (March 27, 2025)¹³

Four Corners Development (2025)

• Controversy: Over 30 residents spoke against changing requirements for apartment sizes at Four Corners zoning meeting¹⁴
• Criticism: Some residents felt she was "out of touch" with constituent concerns¹⁴
• Context: 96% of comments at zoning meeting were against proposed changes¹⁴

Charter Review (September 2025)¹⁵

• Launched commission to review Town Charter
• Commission to recommend revisions for voter approval

Key Contributions

During Tenure as First Selectwoman

• Led town through COVID-19 recovery period
• ARPA Funding: Led approval of $3 million American Rescue Plan Act spending package (2022)¹⁶
  • 463-180 vote (72% approval)
  • Funded 20 projects including water system upgrades, fire truck, dog park, town green improvements
• Launched charter review process
• Addressed community safety concerns regarding antisemitism
• Managed cell tower negotiations with T-Mobile

Dog Park Lawsuit (2022)

• Issue: 14 residents filed lawsuit against town's modified dog park plan¹⁷
• Allegations: Conflict of interest allegations against Nestor for participating as ex-officio member of Conservation Commission¹⁷
• Nestor's Response: "I feel very confident that this lawsuit has no merit and the town will prevail again"¹⁷
• Outcome: Lawsuit dismissed; dog park construction proceeded

Recognition

• Weston Intermediate School: Named Connecticut Blue Ribbon School (September 2025) during her tenure¹⁸
• Siversk Sister City Partnership: Established official sister city relationship with Siversk, Ukraine in 2023¹⁹

Campaign Strategy

2019 Campaign Approach

• Door-to-door outreach (1,400+ doors)¹
• Focus on listening to resident concerns
• Emphasis on bringing fresh perspective as working mother¹
• Collaborative, inclusive messaging

2025 Campaign

• Running on record as First Selectwoman
• Emphasizes transparency and responsiveness
• Democratic Party endorsed (July 22, 2025 caucus)²⁰
• Notable: Republicans did not field a candidate for First Selectman in 2025²¹

Community Involvement

Personal Background

• Long-time Weston resident
• Active in local cultural and civic organizations
• Background in non-profit and cultural arts sector
• Published author with expertise in design and lifestyle topics

Electoral History

Media & Public Appearances

Recent Media

• March 2025: Podcast interview with Westport Library "Where Westport Meets the World" series¹⁴
  • Discussed sidewalks, schools, career path, and Weston's future
  • 29-minute interview covering range of town issues

Public Statements

• Regular statements on town issues via Weston Today and town website
• Active communication during crises (antisemitism, T-Mobile dispute)
• Budget presentations and public forums

Opposition & Criticism

Areas of Concern Raised by Critics

1. Development Decisions: Some residents feel she pushes development initiatives contrary to majority resident opinion
2. Communication: Mixed feedback on responsiveness to certain constituent concerns
3. Four Corners Development: Significant resident opposition to zoning changes she supported

Supporter Perspectives

• Praised for collaborative leadership style
• Credited with bringing fresh perspective and professional expertise
• Supported for transparent, responsive government approach

2025 Election Context

• Running Unopposed: No Republican candidate for First Selectman²¹
• Democratic Endorsement: Received party endorsement July 22, 2025²⁰
• Key Issues: Budget management, town development, maintaining services, community safety
• Advantage: Incumbent with record of service, no major challenger

Contact & Resources

• Official Town Contact: First Selectwoman's Office, Weston Town Hall
• Facebook: First Selectwoman Samantha Nestor page
• LinkedIn: Samantha Nestor profile
• Town Website: westonct.gov

Sources

Last Updated: October 17, 2025 Compiled by: Weston AI Research Team