Bill Finch was elected Mayor of Bridgeport in November 2007, after serving seven years in the State Senate representing the 22nd Senatorial District. 

As a state legislator and as Mayor of Bridgeport, Bill Finch has been one of the leading voices in Connecticut on tax reform. Mayor Finch joined with the mayors of Hartford, New Haven and New London in 2008 to urge the state to fully fund its Payment-in-Lieu-of-Taxes (PILOT) program, which would offset the revenue burden on municipalities that are home to crucial tax-exempt institutions like colleges and hospitals. A full reimbursement under the PILOT program would provide much-needed relief to cities and towns across the state, and with full funding, the PILOT program would add $5 million to the Bridgeport city budget. 

Mayor Finch also is a strong proponent of property tax reform. He continues to work to create a car tax exemption and a homestead exemption for one, two and three-family owner-occupied residences in Connecticut. He also supports a property tax freeze for senior citizens.

In 2008, the Mayor was recognized for his tax reform efforts with the Regional Impact Award by the Bridgeport Regional Business Council.  In April 2009, the Mayor’s dedication to the small business sector in the City of Bridgeport, earned him the prestigious Small Business Advocate Award presented by PartnerAmerica™, a public/private partnership of The United States Conference of Mayors and American Management Services.

During his first year as Mayor of Bridgeport, Bill has focused on professionalizing city government, stabilizing the city’s finances and making Bridgeport a cleaner and greener city by signing his first Executive Order to Promote Sustainability in the Park City. A firm believer in the promise the Park City holds as a transit-oriented development hub, the Mayor continues to push economic development projects forward which will help position the city to take advantage of development opportunities when the economy turns around. 

A member of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Mayor Finch was elected to its Advisory Board in June 2009, just 18 months into his term. The Board consists of 27 mayors from around the country who consult with the USCM Executive Committee on all matters related to police and program. He also is a member of its Tourism, Arts, Parks, Entertainment and Sports subcommittee.

Bill Finch grew up in Trumbull and Bridgeport. After graduating from the University of Connecticut, he moved back to Bridgeport where he later became a City Council Member for nine and a half years. While on the City Council, Bill developed a strong record of cutting taxes, helping to create new jobs and enhancing public safety by voting to add more police officers to the force and promoting programs such as gun safety lock distribution.

As a councilman Bill also worked hard to enhance Bridgeport’s infrastructure, helping to negotiate the construction of the Bluefish Baseball Stadium, the Arena at Harbor Yard, Steel Point, and other key projects, Bill has served as member of the Grow Bridgeport Fund, the Connecticut Zoological Society, and the Leo J. Ryan Education Foundation Board of Directors.

In 2000 Bill was elected State Senator for the 22nd district, representing Bridgeport, Trumbull, and Monroe. He served in the legislature as Senate Chairman of the Environment Committee and as Senate Vice Chairman of the Transportation Committee. He was also a member of the Education Committee and the Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committee.

As a Senator, Finch's legislative priorities included property tax reform, smart growth initiatives, education funding, expanding the Husky healthcare initiative, combating underage drinking, transportation issues, and gun control and crime prevention. Upon arriving at the Senate, Bill initiated the "Who Wants to Change the World?" Contest – an exciting, hands-on program to involve youth with government and inspire them to be active citizens. He also spearheaded an ongoing movement to recognize and preserve the works of renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted.

Mayor Finch received a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Connecticut, and while he was there served as the student representative to the University’s Board of Trustees and was elected President of the undergraduate student government. He and his wife, Sonya, have two boys, Atticus and Aiden. His two older sons, Peter and Christopher, both grew up in Bridgeport and attended Bridgeport public schools.