2025 Republican Candidates for Municipal Election

Mayor of Bristol

Mayor Jeff Caggiano - MayorsOffice@bristolct.gov

Jeff Caggiano was elected Bristol’s mayor in 2021. He has 32 years of experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. During his career, he served as both a director and ‘change agent’ for leadership development.

Before becoming mayor, Jeff served for two years on the Bristol Zoning Commission and for four years on the Board of Education. Additionally, he was the Chair of the Republican Town Committee for six years and received Connecticut's Republican of the Year award in 2019.

City Council District 1

Jennifer St. John is a lifelong Bristol resident, happily married and a mom of three boys. Jennifer currently works as a LEAP Engagement Specialist for her local public school system and enjoys the outreach work with families she is able to do in her role. She also works as a Parent Cabinet member for region 6 for the Office of Early Childhood.  Jennifer has been an active member of the Bristol Early Childhood Alliance, Making Bristol Better, and Bristol School Readiness Council for the last seven years. Jennifer is also on numerous other committees, and Co-Chairs the Outreach Committee and Family Fun Day Committee. She is also the president of her children’s school’s PTA. Jennifer is currently pursuing her bachelor's degree in child studies and is a UConn PEP, Triple P Parenting, and PLTI graduate. Jennifer is also a Circle of Security Facilitator. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, gardening, and coaching her boys’ baseball teams. 

Erick Rosengren is a lifelong resident of Bristol who has served his community in various appointed positions. He was elected to the Board of Assessment Appeals (BOAA) and also serves as an alternate commissioner on the Housing Code Appeals Board, a member of the ESSER/ARP (Elementary and Secondary School Relief Fund/ American Rescue Plan) School Building Projects Committee, the Bristol Youth Services Board, the Northeast Middle School Board, and the Board of Public Works. In addition to his board roles, Erick is a liaison to the Board of Education, the Housing Authority, and the Fair Rent Commission.

With a deep commitment to community service, Erick is now running for City Council in our 1st Council District. If elected, he would bring with him years of experience working with local boards and commissions that serve Bristol residents. As an accessible leader, he promises to be an attentive listener and work hard to ensure that every voice in the community is heard.

Jacqueline Olsen - Jacquelineolsen@bristolct.gov

City Council District 2

Jacqueline Olsen is a bi-lingual French Canadian who became an American citizen at the age of 21. She has lived in Bristol on and off since the age of eight. She is a graduate of Bristol Central High School. She attended Tunxis Community College majoring in graphic design with a minor in English. She has one son and three grandchildren.

She has more than forty years of business experience in finance and insurance. During her employment she quickly climbed the corporate ladder as a senior administrator to manager to assistant vice president. She became skilled in policy making as well as negotiating, often working independently or with a team.

Since her election to the city council in 2021, she has served on the Arts & Culture Commission, the Ordinance Committee, Salary Committee, Energy Commission, Capital Improvement & Planning, BAIMS Building Committee and the Commission on Aging. She currently serves on the Board of Public Works, the Retirement Board, the Edgewood Building Committee and is the council liaison on the Water and Sewer Boards, the Commission for Persons with Disabilities and the Parks & Rec Board.

She began participating in community activism in 2003 to create positive change for fellow citizens. She was the voice of reason and was committed to public service as an advocate for residents. During the last four years she has been successful in resolving major constituent issues. She believes in open discussions and working together to find solutions to move forward into the future.

Cheryl Thibeault - CherylThibeault@bristolct.gov

City Council District 3

When elected, Cheryl promised to be a voice for all Bristol residents and has she delivered!   She works closely with Mayor Jeff Caggiano to continue economic expansion and vibrancy downtown.  This is evident in the 2022 ground breaking of the new Wheeler Clinic and the recent Carrier project that will bring modern apartments and retail to the downtown parcel.  Cheryl also has a proven track record of helping Bristol residents find answers to questions and solutions to issues they face.

Her city tenure includes over 13 years on the Bristol Board of Finance, serving as the first woman chair.  She has also served on the 10 Year Capital Committee, Public Works Board, City Arts & Culture Commission, Ordinance Committee, Salary Committee, Real Estate Committee, Transportation Committee, Fire Commission and Fire Building No 4 Building Committees, Greene-Hills Building Committee, Retirement Board, Task Force on Energy,  Board of Police Commissioners, Memorial Boulevard Task Force and the Mayor’s TEAM (Together Everyone Achieve More) Committee.  Cheryl served as Deputy Mayor from 2021-2023.

Cheryl has donated many other hours of volunteer service to organizations including the Chamber of Commerce, Wheeler YMCA, Girl Scouts, Greene-Hills School PTA, VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) , and serves as a Youth Leader, Food Pantry Volunteer. She is an active member of the Forestville Village Association and OM/Keystone (Older Members/Keystone) Association.

Cheryl has her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Maine.  She and her husband Wayne live in Forestville where they raised two wonderful children Gage and Veronica. Cheryl recently became a grandmother to Wesley in 2024. Cheryl is the Director of Finance for the New Britain Housing Authority with prior experience in non-profit, renewable energy and telecommunications, and is seeking re-election to our city council as a councilor from council district 3 this November 4, 2025

Board of Assessment Appeals

Greg Kilmek

Greg is a lifelong resident of Bristol, who graduated from Bristol Eastern High School Class of 1970. He went on to attend Post University and graduated with his associate’s degree in 1972. He is retired from Pratt & Whitney after a 37 year long career working there. He has been married to his wife for 42 years and counting and has two adult daughters who both attended Bristol public schools and went on to become an occupational therapist and a nurse.

Some of his favorite childhood memories included growing up across the street from Page Park and spending time there. Greg has always been active in his community. He is currently a member of the Energy Commission Board, Planning Commission Board, Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Conservation Commission, and the Board of Assessment Appeals which is he running for reelection for. Over his lifetime he has witnessed Bristol change, grow, and have a deep routed sense of community. He enjoys working to help the town to achieve its goals of a better Bristol as the years go on.