Decision Maker

Jahana Hayes

U.S. House of Representatives - Connecticut 5th Congressional District

District 5, Connecticut

Jahana Hayes is an American educator and politician, currently serving as the U.S. Representative for Connecticut's 5th congressional district since 2019. The district includes significant areas such as New Britain, Danbury, and Waterbury. A member of the Democratic Party, Hayes made history as the first Black woman and Black Democrat to represent Connecticut in Congress. Before her political career, she was a social studies teacher at John F. Kennedy High School and later served as the Talent and Professional Development Supervisor at Waterbury Public Schools. Hayes holds an Associate's degree from Naugatuck Valley Community College, a Bachelor's degree from Southern Connecticut State University, and a Master's degree from the University of Saint Joseph.