Phil Young
Town Council District 6
About Phil Young
Phil Young is no stranger to the residents of Stratford’s Sixth District. A longtime community leader, Phil previously served on the Stratford Town Council from 2015 to 2017 and then represented Stratford as a State Representative for five years, beginning with a special election victory in February 2018. That historic win flipped the seat Democratic for the first time in 44 years.
Before entering public service, Phil built a successful 28-year career as a professional chef, managing restaurants such as Max’s Downtown, Max’s Oyster Bar, The Pond House Café, and The Bridge House. Leading kitchen teams of up to sixty people, Phil learned firsthand how to manage complex budgets, build teamwork, and deliver results under pressure – skills he later brought to public office.
As a Town Councilor, Phil served as Majority Leader and Chair of the Ordinance Committee. He was instrumental in raising education funding after years of Republican cuts, reducing wastewater fees, and spearheading the rapid turnaround of Nichols School safety improvements in just five weeks. He also worked tirelessly to stop the sale of Stratford’s WPCA, protecting residents from higher costs and loss of local control.
In Hartford, Phil served on the Public Health, Environment, and Judiciary Committees, and as Vice Chair of Public Health. He championed legislation that cut taxes for seniors, strengthened reproductive rights, protected Long Island Sound, and addressed the behavioral health needs of children in the aftermath of COVID-19. He also helped secure millions in state resources for Stratford, including $2.3 million for a new Sterling House roof, while consistently supporting balanced budgets that lowered pension debt and invested in education.
Phil and his wife have lived in Stratford for 17 years, where he has been an active member of the Stratford Democratic Town Committee for 15 years. His deep community roots and record of leadership make him uniquely qualified to return to the Town Council at a critical moment for Stratford’s future.
As your Councilor, Phil will focus on streamlining boards and commissions, bringing fiscal discipline to town budgeting, making smart investments that protect taxpayers, and ensuring fairness in Stratford’s upcoming property revaluation.
“I am a Democrat who is fiscally responsible, and cleans up mismanaged budgets,” Phil says. “I ask the hard questions and push for the answers.”