|| John Harkins ||

John Harkins

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John Harkins

( Connecticut,  )

Rome Smith & Lutz

Introduction

John is a former state representative having served 13 years from Stratford's 120th district. Past leadership appointments include Deputy Minority Leader at large, Caucus Chairman, Assistant Minority Leader, and Ranking Member for the Transportation Committee, Select Committee on Aging, and Veterans Affairs Committee. John also served as the mayor of Stratford for two consecutive four-year terms since 2009. Mayor Harkins led Stratford with a steady hand. By focusing on economic development, the town has grown significantly. With over 23 years of elected service and over 30 years as a small business owner John has been a strong advocate for his constituents. As a lobbyist he is now focused on client advocacy and business development on both the state and local level.

Recommendations  Achievements  Client List  Number of Years as a Lobbyist  Relationships  Biography 
Recommendations

  • "Rome Smith & Lutz is all about relationships and trust. Their success is rooted in experience and integrity. When they represent us at the Capitol, we know we are being heard." - Chuck Bunnell, Chief of Staff for External and Government Affairs, Mohegan Tribe
  • "The Rome Smith and Lutz team are committed to knowing and understanding our educational priorities and they relentlessly and creatively pursue them. They are consummate professionals and are always available for questions and advice. We know from results that we are well represented by them." - Fran Rabinowitz, Executive Director of the CT Association of Public School Superintendents

    • Achievements

    John Harkins' career awards and recognitions include: "The American Legion Department of Connecticut Certificate Award as the 2009 Legislator of the Year", the 2008 Bridgeport Regional Business Council AT&T "Regional Elected Official Award", the 2004 Walter Wright "Community Spirit Award". He was State Chairman and a former Board Member of the American Legislative Exchange Council. He received the Legislator of the Year Award from ALEC in 2006. He was also the First National Chairman of the American City and County Exchange and received the "Innovative Leadership Award" from ACCE in 2016.

    Clients

    1) AAA

    2) Alkermes

    3) Alliance of CT Non Profits

    4) Alzheimer's Association

    5) BioCT

    6) Bristol Resource Recovery Facility Operating Committee

    7) Capitol Region Council of Governments

    8) Community Health Center, Inc

    9) Conduent

    10) Connecticut Association of Optometrists

    11) Connecticut Podiatric Medical Association

    12) Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo

    13) CT Academy of Audiology

    14) CT Association for Community Transportation

    15) CT Association for Healthcare at Home

    16) CT Association of Public School Superintendents

    17) CT Chapter, National Association of Housing & Redevelopment Officials

    18) CT Family Resource Centers Alliance

    19) CT Realtors

    20) Environmental Professionals Organization of CT

    21) H&R Block

    22) Klingberg Family Centers

    23) Make-A-Wish Connecticut, Inc

    24) MetroCOG

    25) Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority

    26) National Council on Compensation Insurance

    27) National Safety Council

    28) Natural Resources Defense Council

    29) Probate Assembly

    30) Radiological Society of CT

    31) Regional Education Service Center Alliance

    32) Save the Sound (Formerly CT Fund for the Environment)

    33) Sunrun

    34) The Workplace

    35) Town of Fairfield

    36) Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

    37) Vivint Solar

    Number of Years as a Lobbyist

    0-5 years

    Relationships

    I have served over twenty-two years in elected office on the state and local level. I have been able to develop a vast network on both the state and local level on both sides of the aisle after serving 13 years in the statehouse and 8 years as a mayor. I have also remained active in business and with regional chambers of commerce.

    Biography

    John Harkins was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, and has been a resident of Connecticut for over 50 years. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance from The University of Tulsa in
    Oklahoma in 1986. He received his SRA designation from the Appraisal Institute in 1991.

    He was the owner of Harkins Appraisal Service, Inc. for over thirty years. Living in Stratford, John Harkins has served his hometown in public office since his election to the Town Council (9th District) in 1995. As Councilman, he was Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Committee. He also served as Chairman of the Roosevelt Forest Commission.

    In 1996 he was elected to the Connecticut House of Representatives from the 120th District, comprising central Stratford, beginning his first of seven consecutive terms in the General Assembly in 1997. As a State Representative, his past leadership appointments include serving as the Deputy Minority Leader at Large, House Republican Caucus Chairman, Assistant Minority Leader, and Ranking Member to the Transportation Committee, Select Committee on Aging, and Veterans Affairs Committee.

    Serving two four-year terms as Mayor since 2009, Mayor Harkins led Stratford with a steady hand. By focusing on economic development, the town has grown significantly. After decades of inaction, positive progress has been made on Sikorsky Airport and Main Street flooding, the sale and redevelopment of the Army Engine Plant, redevelopment of the Stratford Avenue corridor, Clean up of the Raymark Super Fund Site, and successfully accomplished getting the construction of a full interchange at Exit 33 off of I-95 which has begun in 2020.

    A lifelong resident of Stratford, John Harkins has long been active in town affairs and civic groups: (Past President) Stratford Rotary Club, Bridgeport Regional Business Council, SaveStratford.org, and the Raymark Advisory Committee. He also served as co-chairman of the Bridgeport Regional Business Council's Regional Legislative Caucus both as a State Representative and as Mayor, and was past Chairman of the MetroCog. He has recently become a member of the Board of Trustees for The Milford Bank.

    He has owned and operated Harkins Real Estate Services and Molter Government Affairs providing clients with lobbying and business development. He is presently affiliated with Rome, Smith, & Lutz Government Relations and is registered as a lobbyist in the State of Connecticut.

    Last Updated: April 16, 2024