Fairfield University senior Brendan Murray could become the first Fairfield University student to be elected to the town’s legislative body in more than 20 years, if he wins a spot on Tuesday’s municipal election.

Murray, a Long Island native, is running as a Republican for a spot on the Representative Town Meeting District 8, which covers most of Fairfield University’s North Benson campus, Mill Plain and the Sturges neighborhood.

In an interview on Monday with WVOF’s Fairfield News Today, Murray said he envisions his candidacy as an advocate for the Fairfield University community, arguing that students are long overdue for representation in town politics. 

“They didn’t have anyone to actively represent and advocate for them,” Murray said. “I felt that it would be the most beneficial thing that I would step up and run for this, put my face out there and really try to make a difference.

If elected, Murray would become the first Fairfield student to be elected to the RTM since 2003, when then-junior Kerry Rose won a spot on the RTM as a Democrat. She was the last student elected to the town legislative body in a 12-year period that started in 1993.

According to a 1993 Mirror article covering the historic campaign of Fairfield students for RTM, the initial involvement in town politics was a product of student frustrations with town regulations and media coverage that portrayed students as “disrespectful kids who create a public menace.”

“Many students are frustrated by zoning regulations to drive them away from the beach and the often prejudiced treatment students receive in the town press and by the police,” the article published on Oct. 7, 1993, reads.

While the trio ran as Republicans, a group of Democratic students joined the race in 1997, when four students and the then-Director of Residence Life campaigned to represent the university in the RTM. 

“I tell them that I bring some young blood and a youthful perspective to town governance that brings this entirely new way of thinking,” Murray said when asked about his platform and vision for the RTM. 

When asked about what ideas he would bring to the table, he said students should expect him to be there to “back the students against anything that the town government could possibly have against them.” In a candidate profile to Patch, Murray said the most pressing issues facing his potential constituents were “financial responsibility on the part of the town” and public safety. 

On social media, including Fizz, Murray’s candidacy is making waves, with multiple similar posts urging students to support him to “protect the beach darties.”

“Everyone vote Brendan Murray at downtown bookstore if [yo]u want to have any social life going forward,” a post published on Monday night read. Another post claimed that votes not cast by a Fairfield student “is a vote cast for those who hate them.”

Other posts have encouraged students to back RTM 9 candidate and Seagrape Cafe owner Peter Collins, who currently serves as an alternate for the Town Planning and Zoning Commission. 

“Vote Peter Collins to end this BS with the Fairfield Police,” a post on Sunday reads. Another post implies that not voting will lead to the closure of student bars.

Collins and Murray were both door-knocking at student beach houses on Sunday.

The SeaGrape owner also “requested” that off-campus senior leaders acknowledge his candidacy in a GroupMe chat, with a message sent to senior students earlier this month saying that Collins noted he was “an outspoken advocate for the student body, particularly the senior class and those of us who live (and party) on the beach.” 

The Mirror reached out to Collins for comment but did not receive a response.

RTM District 8 covers most of the Fairfield University campus, with the exception of the Sophomore Village, Faber Hall and Dulles Hall, which fall within District 7.

The eighth district is currently evenly divided along party lines, with all four incumbents seeking reelection on Nov. 4. Students living on campus who are registered to vote in Fairfield can cast their ballots at Riverfield Elementary School.