Around New England

Connecticut Elects Jahana Hayes; Is State’s 1st Black Woman To Serve In Congress

November 9, 2018

The Hartford Courant reports Connecticut’s 5th Congressional District has elected an African-American woman from Wolcott to be the district’s new representative in the US House. 

Jahana Hayes, 45, a progressive Democrat and high school history teacher, will replace 3-term Rep. Elizabeth Esty, (D) who chose not to seek reelection after she was criticized for allegedly mishandling a sexual harassment issue involving a former staffer. Hayes will be the first-ever African American woman to serve in the US House of Representatives for any Connecticut district.

The Courant reports that Hayes defeated former Republican Manny Santos, who once served as mayor of Meriden. Hayes received 55.8 percent of the vote to Santos’ 44 percent.

In writing about Hayes, who was endorsed by former-President Barack Obama, the Courant said Hayes “embraced progressive policies and won the endorsement of organized labor and the Working Families Party.”