To the Editor:

This letter is in support of Jahana Hayes, who is running for reelection as the US Representative for Connecticut’s 5th congressional district, which includes Newtown.

Jahana’s story is one of overcoming obstacles and achieving success despite great odds. She turned that success into service. Jahana grew up affected by addiction and poverty and had a daughter as a teenager. She then went back to school, received multiple degrees, taught high school, and was named Teacher of the Year by President Obama in 2016.

She decided to run for office when she looked at her students and said to herself, “who will speak for them, if not me?” She was elected in 2018 and became the first African American Congresswoman from the state of Connecticut.

Jahana is an advocate for equitable access to educational opportunities, and affordable health care and food security for all. She supports labor, immigration reform, gun violence prevention, improved transportation, and protecting the environment and agriculture. She is also a fierce supporter of social justice and Veterans’ issues.

Jahana believes in working in a bipartisan way to get things done and improve the lives of everyone in our community. She is living proof that good government can work for all of us. Please vote for Jahana Hayes for US Representative on November 5th!

Lynn Hungaski

Newtown