FAIRFIELD — Jill Kinder, a political newcomer, whipped a veteran slate of council hopefuls with a meager $1,500 campaign budget, a commitment to bring a fresh outlook to city government, and a lot of walking.

        Ms. Kinder, a mother of two, a real estate appraiser and a business owner in Fairfield, was the top vote-getter among seven candidates to fill three open at-large city council seats. The other two seats were won by incumbent Mark Scharringhausen and Howard Dirksen, a five-term council veteran who sat out two years to comply with term limits.

        Left out were Mayor Robert Wolpert, who stepped down to run for council, Donald Hassler with 16 past years on city council, John “Les” Crothers, a former police officer with more than 30 years working in the city, and Charles Klosterman, a six-year member of the Fairfield Community Reinvestment Council (CRC).

        “She positioned herself as something new,” said Mr. Scharringhausen of Ms. Kinder's surprise finish.

        “Everyone else was involved in the city in some way or another — myself, as an incumbent; a mayor, former council members, a long-time city employee and a member of a city board. She has no previous experience. And, it is not uncommon for voters to pick someone new, particularly in an at-large race” where voters can mix experience with an enthusiastic newcomer, Mr. Scharringhausen said.

        Sterling Uhler, a 24-year councilman and former mayor who will sit out the next two years, said: “She is an attractive, articulate candidate observed by many voters campaigning door-to-door. She ran a good, solid grass-roots campaign and being the only female on the slate did not hurt her.”

        Ms. Kinder, who has lived in Fairfield for 12 years said her strategy was simple.

        “I'm a residential real estate appraiser. I own my own company in Fairfield. Everything city council does in some way affects the value of real estate. It hits all people. I'm committed to everybody in Fairfield,” she said.

        “I walked door to door; wrote my own brochures. I only put up 25 campaign signs in strategic places. "A New Perspective' was my campaign slogan,” coined by volunteer campaign manager Hall Thompson, a neighbor.

        Ms. Kinder took issue with suggestions being the sole woman might have helped her win.

        “Fairfield voters are not that shallow. They are smart people who look at the issues,” she said.

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