Jahana Hayes

US Representative for Connecticut's 5th district, elected in 2018. A high school teacher, Jahana Hayes ran for the US Congress in 2018, first in the primary, beating, almost 2 to 1, the candidate endorsed by Connecticut Democratic Party and then winning, 56%-44% to Republican candidate Manny Santos in the general election. Hayes is the first black Democratic House member from Connecticut, and together with Ayanna Pressley of Massachussets, the first women of color to be elected to Congress, from New England.