1. Jahana Hayes is an American educator and politician serving as the US representative for since 2019.
18 Facts About Jahana Hayes
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Jahana Hayes is the first African American woman from a low income background to be elected to Congress.
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Jahana Hayes was recognized as the National Teacher of the Year in 2016.
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Jahana Hayes was born on March 8,1973, in Waterbury, Connecticut, and grew up in public housing projects in that city.
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Jahana Hayes earned an associate degree at Naugatuck Valley Community College and a bachelor's degree at Southern Connecticut State University.
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In 2012, Jahana Hayes earned a master's degree in curriculum and instruction at the University of Saint Joseph.
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Jahana Hayes went on to teach government and history at John F Kennedy High School in Waterbury.
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Jahana Hayes chaired the Kennedy SOAR Review Board, a "school within a school" that provided advanced instruction for gifted students, and was a co-adviser of HOPE, a student-service club at Kennedy.
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In 2018, Jahana Hayes ran for the Democratic nomination for Connecticut's 5th congressional district.
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Jahana Hayes's difficult upbringing was a cornerstone of her campaign.
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In 2022, Jahana Hayes was questioned about the ethics of hiring two of her children to work and receive a salary as campaign staffers.
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Jahana Hayes ran for reelection in 2022 and faced the most competitive election of her career.
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Jahana Hayes narrowly defeated Republican state Senator George Logan in the general election.
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In 2024, Jahana Hayes defeated Republican nominee George Logan in a rematch of the 2022 election.
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In 2025, Jahana Hayes was one of 46 House Democrats who joined all Republicans to vote for the Laken Riley Act.
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Jahana Hayes voted for both the first and second impeachment of Donald Trump.
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In 2020, Jahana Hayes was reported to be on the shortlist for Secretary of Education in the Biden administration, but Connecticut State Commissioner of Education Miguel Cardona was selected.
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Jahana Hayes was among the 46 Democrats who voted against final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 in the House.