Gary Winfield | |
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| Member of theConnecticut State Senate from the10th district | |
| Assumed office February 28, 2014 | |
| Preceded by | Toni Harp |
| Member of theConnecticut House of Representatives from the 94th district | |
| In office January 2009 – February 28, 2014 | |
| Preceded by | William Dyson |
| Succeeded by | Robyn Porter |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1974-03-11)March 11, 1974 (age 51) New York City,New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Rasheda |
| Education | Southern Connecticut State University (BA) |
Gary A. Winfield (born March 11, 1974) is an American politician from the state ofConnecticut and member of theDemocratic Party. He serves in theConnecticut State Senate, representing the 10th district. From 2009 to 2014 he served as aState Representative from the 94th Assembly District. Winfield served as Deputy Majority Leader in his tenure as a State Representative.
Winfield was raised inThe Bronx, aBorough ofNew York City, by his mother.[1] He graduated fromWestbury High School inOld Westbury, New York.[2] He served in theUnited States Navy from 1994 to 2000 and became aNuclear Electrician's Mate. He attendedSouthern Connecticut State University from 2003 to 2006 and received a bachelor of science inpolitical science. He works for theAmerican Association of University Professors.[1]
Shortly after entering the house Winfield was the lead sponsor of a bill to abolish thedeath penalty in Connecticut. The freshman's efforts led to the first successful passage of the bill in either chamber of the legislature. While Winfield was successful in getting the bill to the governor's desk it was vetoed. Several years later a subsequent attempt led to the passage and signing by then GovernorDan Malloy.
Winfield was also the driving force behind a bill which put in place protections for transgender citizens in public accommodation which would later be used against him in his run for his senate seat.[3] He was also the force behind the TRUST ACT which was the first statewide passage of such a bill in the country, several police accountability bills, the first in the nation racial and ethnic impact statement on demand without restrictions, and prosecutorial transparency bill along with several other progressive wins.[4] Winfield is the first non attorney to serve as co-chair of the state’s Judiciary Committee.
Winfield, along with state rep, Patricia Dillon, proposed a bill which would declarepizza the officialstate food of Connecticut.[5]Justin Elicker, the mayor ofNew Haven, testified in support of the bill.[6]
Winfield was first elected to the Connecticut House in 2008.[1] In2013, he declared his candidacy forMayor of New Haven, but he dropped out and endorsedToni Harp, a member of theConnecticut Senate.[7]
Following Harp's election as mayor, Winfield declared his candidacy in thespecial election to succeed Harp in representing the 10th district in the Connecticut Senate.[8] He won with 75% of the vote.[2]
Born as aCatholic, Winfield now identifies asBaptist.[1] He met Natalie, his first wife, in high school.[2] They divorced in 2014. Winfield married his second wife, Rasheda, in 2016. Rasheda brought two children into the marriage and on February 11, 2018 the couple welcomed twins Imani Harriet and Gary Rashid to the family.[9]
Members of theConnecticut State Senate | ||
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