Incumbent Selectman Lynn Pinder is seeking to run for first selectman as a Democrat. Pinder is a partner at the law firm Wilson, Pinder & Snow and she owns Pinder Construction Company with her husband.

Pinder cited her “experience and dedication over the past 10 years” as key qualifications.

“Experience is necessary,” Pinder said. “I think I can hit the ground running without a learning curve.”

Currently, Pinder chairs the Water Pollution Control Board of Appeals, is the Board of Selectmen liaison to the Board of Police Commissioners, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Clinton Chamber of Commerce.

Pinder said if elected she’ll work to maintain the current businesses in town, because the town “can’t put all our eggs in one basket” for economic development.

“The first selectman needs to be a good marketer,” Pinder said.

Pinder listed her service on the Water Pollution Control Commission (WPCC) and work to approve an ordinance establishing retirement benefits for the town’s volunteer firefighters as her proudest accomplishments.

Pinder has also served on the Charter Revision Commission, the Capital Expenditure Committee, and the Length of Service Awards Program Committee.

In a post on the Facebook page Lynn Pinder for First Selectman, Pinder wrote, “My experience extends to almost every town department, board, and commission. I have a deep knowledge of how town government works and of the budget process...I am experienced in contract negotiations and in the important role of running effective meetings. My track record on working with elected and appointed officials in a cooperative manner is well documented. As a business owner and board member of the Chamber, economic development and business relationships are at the top of my agenda along with keeping our community safe, our schools excellent, and our infrastructure strong with fiscal responsibility being a priority.”