2025 Candidates

Family man. Public Servant. Mayor. Whether as a high school teacher & principal or Leader of the Common Council & now Mayor, Gene Nocera has always serve our community.

Since moving to Middletown four years ago Alex Cohen and his family have become deeply engaged in the community, and he is eager to give back in a meaningful way. His children attend Lawrence and Beman, and while their education motivates him, his commitment extends to ensuring all students have access to safe, inclusive, and enriching learning environments.

With a background in problem-solving and organizational leadership, and experience working within governance structures, Alex believes he can bring valuable insight and dedication to the Board during this critical time for public education.

Kelly Bee is honored to be the nominated for a seat on the Middletown Board of. Although she grew up in Chester, she spent much of her high school years in Middletown as a student at Mercy—volunteering at St. Vincent de Paul and participating in productions at Oddfellows Playhouse. Following a divorce, Kelly returned to Middletown with her two children a little over eight years ago. A lifelong Democrat, she is eager to become more involved in local politics and contribute to the community that has become her family’s home.

Kelly currently works as a PR and Communications consultant with Connecticut Students for a Dream, a nonprofit organization that supports and advocates for undocumented students and their families. She is also halfway through earning her Public Leadership Credential in Nonprofit Management through the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

aniel Feener is honored to be a nominee for the Board of Education. He comes from a background in Human Resources, where he focused on supporting people, managing budgets, and building strong, collaborative environments — skills he hopes to bring to the Board in service of our schools and students.

Dean Krupa is a third-generation resident of Middletown and lives in the South Farms district. All of his family attended public school in the area.

After graduating from Wilson High and earning a degree in Business Management from Springfield College, he served his country as a U.S. Naval Aviator for 11 years and later retired from United Airlines after a 27-year career as an international pilot.

In 2014, Dean began volunteering as a football coach at Middletown High School, eventually becoming an associate head coach, mentor, and academic tutor. The invaluable experience of working closely with outstanding coaches, the Athletic Department, faculty, and administrators over the past 10 years has led him to seek election to the Middletown Board of Education. This position would provide a greater opportunity to serve the students and the school system.

Shanay N. Fulton is a two-term elected Planning & Zoning Commissioner and lifelong advocate for justice, equity, and community transformation. She brings a deep commitment to inclusive development and community-centered leadership. Rooted in her experiences as a mother, educator, and advocate, Shanay began her civic journey in the Middletown Public School system and later as Youth Director at NEAT (North End Action Team), mobilizing families around issues of justice and access.

She currently leads Middletown WORKS, an initiative focused on improving economic mobility for single-parent BIPOC families, and co-chairs the Family Economic Mobility Workgroup for the Connecticut 2Gen Advisory Board. Shanay also serves on the boards of Open Communities Alliance and Russell Library and was featured in the Emmy award-winning PBS documentary Fighting For Home. A published author and recipient of multiple community awards, she holds a B.S. from Fordham University and an MPA from the University of New Haven. Through her leadership and advocacy, Shanay continues to be a driving force for equity, community, and transformation.

Daniel Long has been a Middletown resident since 2006 and is one of the Nominating Committee-endorsed candidates for Planning and Zoning. A research scientist focused on education policy, he has spent his career examining how community structures and policies affect opportunity and equity. Previously, Daniel served as an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Wesleyan University, where his teaching and research explored how exclusionary zoning contributes to wealth inequality, residential segregation, and unequal access to quality education. His work reflects a deep understanding of how thoughtful planning can strengthen communities and expand opportunity for working families.

Beyond his professional experience, Daniel has a long history of civic engagement, serving as Director of Research for Connecticut Voices for Children, a community board member of Nehemiah Housing, and a volunteer with the North End Action Team. He believes that better zoning policies can increase the supply of affordable homes, lower rental costs, and support mixed-use development that connects residents to jobs and essential services. Daniel is committed to using his expertise and experience to help make Middletown a more affordable, equitable, and vibrant community for all.

Andrew Reagan is a proud Middletown native, he was born and raised in the city and attended Woodrow Wilson Middle School and Xavier High School before earning his master’s degree in architecture from Roger Williams University in Bristol, Rhode Island. After graduating, Andrew returned home and now lives in Middletown while working at QA+M Architecture in Farmington.

His professional goal is to become a licensed architect in Connecticut, and personally, he hopes to lay down permanent roots by buying a home and starting a family in the community he loves. Andrew is passionate about shaping a future for Middletown that prioritizes sustainability, climate resilience, and inclusive development. He believes responsible zoning can strengthen neighborhoods, expand access to public transit, and encourage environmentally sound building practices that promote energy efficiency and long-term growth.

Kristin Souza is a dedicated community leader with a strong commitment to thoughtful development, civic engagement, and inclusive planning. A former small business owner on Main Street from 2021 to 2024, she worked closely with local entrepreneurs, city officials, and the Downtown Business District to strengthen Middletown’s economic vitality and sense of place. Her experience navigating local business and municipal processes has given her valuable insight into how planning decisions shape the character and accessibility of our community.

In addition to her professional and civic experience, Kristin has been deeply involved in public service. She currently serves as a Justice of the Peace, sits on the Board of Directors for the Connecticut Cannabis Small Business Alliance, and has held leadership roles supporting local schools and youth as Treasurer of Project Graduation and member of the Snow School Governance Council.

Kristin has also been an active voice in civic advocacy and community organizing, testifying before the General Law Committee, helping launch the “Bans Off Our Bodies” rally in collaboration with the Lieutenant Governor’s office, and organizing voter engagement initiatives such as Middletown’s first Juneteenth voter registration booth. Through her years of service, Kristin has developed a deep appreciation for collaboration, transparency, and balanced growth, values she hopes to her work in planning and zoning.