Biography

Representing the 94th Assembly District of New Haven, Gary Holder-Winfield was first elected to the General Assembly in 2008. He currently serves as the House vice-chairman of the Judiciary Committee and chairman of the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus.

Legislation

Representative Holder-Winfield has been the lead sponsor of legislation to abolish the death penalty. He led the fight to pass an abolition bill in 2009, resulting in the first passage of an abolition bill by both the House and Senate. Believing that the issue of discrimination against transgendered people was of utmost importance to Connecticut, Holder-Winfield also led the fight to pass an anti-discrimination law in 2011. In addition, he is recognized as a leader on issues of campaign finance and education reform.

Background

Representative Holder-Winfield was formerly enlisted in the United States Naval nuclear power program where he developed skills he would later use as a field advisor for Alstom Power after leaving the Navy. His job with Alstom brought him to Connecticut where he became involved with the issues of his community and continues to reside in New Haven with his wife.

In 2003 Representative Holder-Winfield entered Southern Connecticut State University and graduated three years later in 2006 with a bachelor of science in political science. He currently works for the Connecticut State University chapter of the American Association of University Professors.

Originally from Bronx, New York, Representative Holder-Winfield credits his experience of growing up in a tough environment, his father succumbing to drugs and watching his mother struggle as a single mother as the source of his passion for social justice. Representative Holder-Winfield is married to the woman whom he considers the greatest treasure in his life, Natalie. He says marrying her is the best decision he has ever made.

Updated January 24, 2012