Meet Bette Lynn

Bette Lynn Paez is the endorsed Democratic candidate for Mayor of the City of Shelton. She is running for Mayor because Shelton needs a change for the better. The issues are not glamorous, but they affect the quality of life of everyone in town.

Local Roots

Bette Lynn Paez embodies deep generational ties to the city:

Her mother Sally worked as a nurse at Laurel Heights Hospital until it closed. Sally still lives in the farm house built in 1890 by her grandparents Oscar and Annie Wright.
Bette Lynn’s uncle, Ralph “Hoppy” Hopkins, helped establish ambulance service in Shelton and later served as fire chief in the 1980s.
Her cousin, Alan “Hoppy” Hopkins, served as captain in the Echo Hose and drives his antique fire truck in the Memorial Day parade every year.
Her sister Ria marched in the Rose Bowl Parade in 1974 when the SHS band numbered over 200.
Her car was an unwilling participant in the infamous 58-car pile-up on Leavenworth Road caused by a freak ice storm in December 2009.

Educational Background

Attended Sunnyside and Fowler (now City Hall) for 8th grade
Graduated second in her class from Shelton High School, while working three part-time jobs to save for college
Completed her BA in Spanish at Ithaca College, including two years of studies at UNAM, the National University of Mexico, in Mexico City.
Earned her MS in Industrial Administration (MBA-equivalent) at Carnegie Mellon University

Professional Journey

Computer Chips to Chocolate Chips to Blue Chips

Bette Lynn’s eclectic career path includes selling computers for IBM in Pittsburgh until 1990, when she returned to Connecticut to launch Bette Lynn’s BakeHouse in Black Rock. She pivoted to her current 25-year career as a Certified Financial Planner™ professional in Shelton. Using her experience and credentials — MSIA, CFP®, Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®) and investment and insurance licenses — Bette Lynn has helped over 150 families prepare for a successful retirement.

Her motto is “Be a smart cookie. Know your dough!”

Community Engagement

More than just a businesswoman, Bette Lynn gives back. She and her friends bake weekly for Spooner House in Shelton and a New Haven soup kitchen.

Bette Lynn stays active in the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce — currently participating in its Women in Networking group and formerly chairing the Valley Business Network.

For several years, she served on the board of the Planned Giving Group of Connecticut.

A lifelong Democrat, Bette Lynn began working at the Shelton polls in 2020 and joined the Democratic Town Committee shortly after that.

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