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A Seat at the Selectman’s Table: An Open Discussion with Westport’s Candidates for First Selectman
Event Details
Forget the podiums. Forget the stiff format. Forget the canned talking points. On this night, Westport’s three candidates for first selectman will sit shoulder-to-shoulder at the same dinner table, sharing a meal and a wide-ranging conversation in front of a live audience. No podiums. No speeches. Just authentic, unscripted dialogue that reveals who they are as people — not just as politicians.
Hosted by Dan Woog, executive editor of 06880, this is a rare, unfiltered glimpse into the people behind the campaigns — a chance to see the candidates engage with each other as neighbors and community members, not just rivals. Over the course of the evening, you’ll hear personal stories, moments of candor, and the values that shape their leadership styles. You’ll discover what drives them, what inspires them, and how they see the community — all in their own words.
Why You Should Come
The simple act of breaking bread changes the conversation. It builds trust, lowers defenses, and creates space for connection — the kind of space where genuine understanding can emerge. This intimate, interactive format is one-of-a-kind, and you won’t find it anywhere else in Westport. It’s an opportunity to walk away with a clearer sense of each candidate’s character, perspective, and leadership style before you cast your vote.
A Seat at the Selectman’s Table is part of the Library’s Common Ground Initiative, the Library's ongoing effort to foster respectful dialogue across differences and strengthen the civic fabric of our town. By bringing candidates together in this way, we’re making room for meaningful, human conversation — the kind that builds a stronger, more connected community.
Seats are limited. The conversation will be lively. And you will not get another chance like this before Election Day.
About the Common Ground Initiative
The Common Ground Initiative is The Westport Library’s forum for public discourse on topical issues of importance to the community. The aim of the initiative is to: host a positive, productive conversation on how we work together to move forward as a civil society; encourage respectful, constructive dialogue; and build capacity to tackle challenging and/or controversial issues.
The Westport Library is committed to intellectual freedom, inclusivity, and lifelong learning. Our mission is to provide welcoming spaces for the free exchange of ideas. The Library does not endorse or condemn points of view, including any program content or the views expressed by presenters or participants.
