2026 Democratic Candidates
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STATEWIDE RACES:
Governor: Ned Lamont Lieutenant Governor: Susan Bysiewicz Attorney General: William Tong Secretary of the State: Stephanie Thomas Comptroller: Sean Scanlon Treasurer: Erick Russell |
LOCAL RACES:
5th Congressional District: Jahana Hayes State Senate District 13: Jack Fazzino State Senate District 16: Jack Perry State Representative District 83: Chad Cardillo State Representative District 103: Liz Linehan Democratic Registrar of Voters: Matt Hall Judge of Probate: Matt Jalowiec |
5th Congressional District: Jahana Hayes
Jahana Hayes is the U.S. Representative for Connecticut's Fifth Congressional District. Jahana was elected in November 2018 and is seeking her 5th term. She is the first African-American Congresswoman from Connecticut, and this is her first public office. A high school teacher, Jahana first garnered widespread acclaim when President Barack Obama named her National Teacher of the Year in 2016. As National Teacher of the Year, Hayes traveled the country and the world engaging public education stakeholders in policy discussions meant to improve outcomes for students.
Jahana serves on the Education & Workforce Committee and the Agriculture Committee in Congress. Jahana has passed 11 bills into law under multiple administrations. Jahana is fighting to protect Social Security, Medicare and nutrition assistance programs. She will keep us moving forward by fighting for fair elections, a humane immigration system, and equal opportunity in our schools and workplaces.
Congresswoman Hayes draws on her public service experience. She understands that education changes lives and that government should create more opportunities for communities too often left behind.
Jahana Hayes is the U.S. Representative for Connecticut's Fifth Congressional District. Jahana was elected in November 2018 and is seeking her 5th term. She is the first African-American Congresswoman from Connecticut, and this is her first public office. A high school teacher, Jahana first garnered widespread acclaim when President Barack Obama named her National Teacher of the Year in 2016. As National Teacher of the Year, Hayes traveled the country and the world engaging public education stakeholders in policy discussions meant to improve outcomes for students.
Jahana serves on the Education & Workforce Committee and the Agriculture Committee in Congress. Jahana has passed 11 bills into law under multiple administrations. Jahana is fighting to protect Social Security, Medicare and nutrition assistance programs. She will keep us moving forward by fighting for fair elections, a humane immigration system, and equal opportunity in our schools and workplaces.
Congresswoman Hayes draws on her public service experience. She understands that education changes lives and that government should create more opportunities for communities too often left behind.
State Senate District 13: Jack Fazzino
Jack Fazzino is a leader by example who brings a rare combination of experience, energy, and rationality to his public service, law practice, and relationships with others. A graduate of Notre Dame, Georgetown, and Boston College Law School, he now advises a wide range of clients in his growing law practice at Shipman & Goodwin. He offers a strong foundation in real estate litigation, municipal government, and commercial law to his public service.
Since 2023, Jack has served as State Representative in the 83rd House District which includes Meriden, Cheshire, and Berlin. In Hartford, Jack has quickly established a reputation as a hard worker for his constituents and a trusted voice on the Judiciary Committee. Collaborating alongside his colleagues in Meriden, Cheshire, and other communities across Connecticut, Jack has secured invaluable funding for our schools, nonprofits, first responders, seniors, students, and many other community stakeholders. He has also championed legislation that has reduced government costs, strengthened outcomes for middle and working class families, and expanded due process for all Connecticut residents.
Jack's grandfather, Giuseppe ("Joe") Fazzino, left a small farming town in Sicily for a better life in Middletown, Connecticut. Jack's parents built a successful small business and raised their three kids in the Hanging Hills of Connecticut. Jack has worked to instill his family's immigrant work ethic in the next generation. He is raising his family on the east side of Meriden. His wife, a physician, is building a robust family practice in Middletown. For generations, his family has prioritized giving back. And for years now, Jack has done just that for the communities that raised him.
Jack Fazzino is a leader by example who brings a rare combination of experience, energy, and rationality to his public service, law practice, and relationships with others. A graduate of Notre Dame, Georgetown, and Boston College Law School, he now advises a wide range of clients in his growing law practice at Shipman & Goodwin. He offers a strong foundation in real estate litigation, municipal government, and commercial law to his public service.
Since 2023, Jack has served as State Representative in the 83rd House District which includes Meriden, Cheshire, and Berlin. In Hartford, Jack has quickly established a reputation as a hard worker for his constituents and a trusted voice on the Judiciary Committee. Collaborating alongside his colleagues in Meriden, Cheshire, and other communities across Connecticut, Jack has secured invaluable funding for our schools, nonprofits, first responders, seniors, students, and many other community stakeholders. He has also championed legislation that has reduced government costs, strengthened outcomes for middle and working class families, and expanded due process for all Connecticut residents.
Jack's grandfather, Giuseppe ("Joe") Fazzino, left a small farming town in Sicily for a better life in Middletown, Connecticut. Jack's parents built a successful small business and raised their three kids in the Hanging Hills of Connecticut. Jack has worked to instill his family's immigrant work ethic in the next generation. He is raising his family on the east side of Meriden. His wife, a physician, is building a robust family practice in Middletown. For generations, his family has prioritized giving back. And for years now, Jack has done just that for the communities that raised him.
State Senate District 16: Jack Perry
Jack Perry is a former Southington Town Council member, a small business owner, and a dad trying to make things better for the next generation. He is running for State Senate because he's lived what so many people are going through:rising costs, broken promises, and leaders who seem completely out of touch.
He started his first business with a pickup truck and a plan he wrote in high school. He built HQ Dumpsters from the ground up, created jobs, and did what small business owners across Connecticut do every day: worked hard and kept going, even when the system made it harder than it needed to be.
Eventually, Jack had to sell the business. He found it’s easier working for someone else now than it ever was working for himself. That says a lot about how hard it has become to build and sustain a small business in Connecticut.
In Hartford, Jack will focus on the basics: lowering costs, expanding access to child care and housing, and making sure small businesses and working families actually have a fair shot.
Jack Perry is a former Southington Town Council member, a small business owner, and a dad trying to make things better for the next generation. He is running for State Senate because he's lived what so many people are going through:rising costs, broken promises, and leaders who seem completely out of touch.
He started his first business with a pickup truck and a plan he wrote in high school. He built HQ Dumpsters from the ground up, created jobs, and did what small business owners across Connecticut do every day: worked hard and kept going, even when the system made it harder than it needed to be.
Eventually, Jack had to sell the business. He found it’s easier working for someone else now than it ever was working for himself. That says a lot about how hard it has become to build and sustain a small business in Connecticut.
In Hartford, Jack will focus on the basics: lowering costs, expanding access to child care and housing, and making sure small businesses and working families actually have a fair shot.
State Representative District 83 - Chad Cardillo
Chad is a fourth-generation lifelong Meriden resident who grew up in the 83rd, and a Meriden City Council Deputy Majority Leader with over two decades of service to the community.
Chad is running because he sees every day that too many families are being squeezed, and government hasn’t kept up with the challenges they face. As a public school teacher, he sees how rising costs, an unfair tax burden, and underfunded schools make it harder for families to get ahead. We need practical, responsible leadership that puts working families first, invests in strong public schools, and makes sure everyone has a fair opportunity to succeed.
As a teacher, a city councilor, a volunteer, and labor leader, Chad has the skills needed to be State Representative. He has a strong background in reaching out to the community and a true passion for helping the public. Chad has proven himself to be dedicated to making a positive impact on Meriden, and understands what it takes to make a difference for all the communities of the 83rd.
Chad is a fourth-generation lifelong Meriden resident who grew up in the 83rd, and a Meriden City Council Deputy Majority Leader with over two decades of service to the community.
Chad is running because he sees every day that too many families are being squeezed, and government hasn’t kept up with the challenges they face. As a public school teacher, he sees how rising costs, an unfair tax burden, and underfunded schools make it harder for families to get ahead. We need practical, responsible leadership that puts working families first, invests in strong public schools, and makes sure everyone has a fair opportunity to succeed.
As a teacher, a city councilor, a volunteer, and labor leader, Chad has the skills needed to be State Representative. He has a strong background in reaching out to the community and a true passion for helping the public. Chad has proven himself to be dedicated to making a positive impact on Meriden, and understands what it takes to make a difference for all the communities of the 83rd.
State Representative District 103: Liz Linehan
In 2016, Liz Linehan was elected to represent the 103rd District of the Connecticut General Assembly. The 103rd now includes Cheshire, Wallingford, and Hamden. She currently serves on the Public Safety & Security Committee and the Executive and Legislative Nominations Committee.
As State Representative, Liz comes up with ideas for legislation based on the real life experiences of her constituents. This coming session, she will continue to work on affordability, protecting the most vulnerable, and saving our state from harsh federal policies. She will focus on lowering electric bills by expanding municipal electric options, strengthening privacy protections for Flock cameras and emerging AI technology, continue expanding property tax relief for seniors and families, moratoriums on data center development, and making corporations pay their fair share for grid updates and electricity usage.
Liz's time in the Legislature has helped her helped forge strong relationships which benefit the district. She has been in leadership since her first year. Her positions include Deputy Speaker of the House 2024-present, Majority Caucus Chair 2024-present, Chairwoman - Committee on Children 2019-2024, and Vice Chair of the Veterans Committee 2017-2018.
Prior to becoming a state representative, Liz served two terms as a member of the Cheshire Town Council. She attended Central Connecticut State University, majoring in Communications. As a lifelong Cheshire resident and outspoken advocate for women, families, children, and education, Liz is proud to serve the residents of the 103rd District. She lives in Cheshire with her husband Brian and their three children.
In 2016, Liz Linehan was elected to represent the 103rd District of the Connecticut General Assembly. The 103rd now includes Cheshire, Wallingford, and Hamden. She currently serves on the Public Safety & Security Committee and the Executive and Legislative Nominations Committee.
As State Representative, Liz comes up with ideas for legislation based on the real life experiences of her constituents. This coming session, she will continue to work on affordability, protecting the most vulnerable, and saving our state from harsh federal policies. She will focus on lowering electric bills by expanding municipal electric options, strengthening privacy protections for Flock cameras and emerging AI technology, continue expanding property tax relief for seniors and families, moratoriums on data center development, and making corporations pay their fair share for grid updates and electricity usage.
Liz's time in the Legislature has helped her helped forge strong relationships which benefit the district. She has been in leadership since her first year. Her positions include Deputy Speaker of the House 2024-present, Majority Caucus Chair 2024-present, Chairwoman - Committee on Children 2019-2024, and Vice Chair of the Veterans Committee 2017-2018.
Prior to becoming a state representative, Liz served two terms as a member of the Cheshire Town Council. She attended Central Connecticut State University, majoring in Communications. As a lifelong Cheshire resident and outspoken advocate for women, families, children, and education, Liz is proud to serve the residents of the 103rd District. She lives in Cheshire with her husband Brian and their three children.