HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) Acclaimed educator Jahana Hayes will become the first black woman to represent Connecticut in Congress after winning the state’s open seat.
Hayes, a Democrat, defeated Republican Manny Santos, a former mayor of Meriden, to represent the state’s northwest corner.
The 2016 National Teacher of the Year only recently got involved in politics. She capitalized on her life story as a onetime teen mother who overcame poverty and rose to the height of her profession.
Hayes will succeed U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty. The Democrat chose not to seek re-election after being criticized for her slow handling of a sexual harassment case in her office. It involved her former chief of staff, who was not fired for several months following allegations he punched and threatened a female staffer.
On the campaign trail, Hayes called for strengthening the public education system and passing stronger federal gun safety laws.