Jahana Hayes

Jahana Hayes
Born	Jahana Flemming 8 3, 1973
Birthplace	Waterbury, Connecticut, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, educator
Known for	National Teacher of the Year (2016); first Black woman elected to represent Connecticut in the U.S. Congress
Education	Naugatuck Valley Community College (AA) Southern Connecticut State University (BA) University of Saint Joseph (MA) University of Bridgeport (SYC)
Spouse(s)	Milford Hayes
Children	4
Awards	National Teacher of the Year (2016)
Website	[https://hayes.house.gov/ Official site]

Jahana Hayes (née Flemming; born March 8, 1973) is an American politician and former educator serving as the U.S. representative for Connecticut's 5th congressional district since January 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, Hayes made history as the first Black woman elected to represent Connecticut in the United States Congress. Before entering politics, Hayes spent more than a decade as a high school history teacher and received national recognition when she was named the National Teacher of the Year in 2016. Her personal story—growing up in public housing in Waterbury, becoming a mother as a teenager, and rising to the pinnacle of her profession—became a defining narrative of her first congressional campaign and attracted national media attention. The 5th congressional district, which was previously represented by U.S. Senator Chris Murphy and later by Elizabeth Esty, encompasses much of northwestern Connecticut, including the cities of Waterbury, Danbury, and New Britain. In Congress, Hayes has focused on issues related to education, agriculture, and nutrition policy, serving as the Ranking Member on the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.

Early Life

Jahana Flemming was born on March 8, 1973, in Waterbury, Connecticut. She grew up in challenging circumstances in one of Waterbury's public housing projects. Her upbringing was marked by significant hardship; she has spoken publicly about the difficult conditions she faced during her childhood, including growing up in poverty.

As a teenager, Hayes became a mother, a life experience that she has described as both a transformative challenge and a motivating force in her life. Her experiences as a young mother and as a student who had struggled academically during her early years later informed both her approach to teaching and her policy priorities as a member of Congress. Hayes has discussed how overcoming these early obstacles shaped her understanding of the barriers faced by students and families in underserved communities.

Despite the difficulties of her youth, Hayes pursued education as a pathway to a different life. Her trajectory from public housing in Waterbury to the halls of Congress became a central element of her public identity, and she has frequently cited her early experiences when discussing issues of poverty, education access, and social mobility.

Education

Hayes began her postsecondary education at Naugatuck Valley Community College, where she earned an Associate degree. She subsequently transferred to Southern Connecticut State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. Hayes continued her graduate studies at the University of Saint Joseph, where she obtained a Master of Arts degree. She later completed a Sixth-Year Certificate (SYC) at the University of Bridgeport.

Her educational journey—beginning at a community college and progressing through multiple institutions to obtain advanced credentials—paralleled her professional ascent in the field of education. The University of Bridgeport recognized Hayes as a notable alumna following her selection as National Teacher of the Year.

Career

Teaching Career

After completing her education, Hayes pursued a career in teaching, working as a history teacher in Connecticut public schools. She taught at John F. Kennedy High School in Waterbury and became known for her work with students in the community where she had grown up. Her approach to education was informed by her own experiences as a struggling student and young mother, and she sought to connect with students who faced similar challenges.

Hayes's teaching career earned increasing recognition over the years. In 2016, she was named the National Teacher of the Year, one of the most prestigious honors in American education, awarded by the Council of Chief State School Officers. The award brought her national prominence and included a visit to the White House, where she was recognized by President Barack Obama. The National Education Association highlighted Hayes's selection, noting her impact on her students and her community. The University of Bridgeport also celebrated her achievement as a reflection of the university's educational mission.

As National Teacher of the Year, Hayes spent the 2016–2017 academic year serving as an ambassador for the teaching profession, traveling across the country to advocate for education policy and the needs of educators and students. The recognition elevated her public profile and established her as a prominent voice on education issues in Connecticut and nationally.

2018 Congressional Campaign

In 2018, Hayes entered the race for Connecticut's 5th congressional district, which had been left open after incumbent Elizabeth Esty announced she would not seek re-election. The district, which encompasses much of northwestern Connecticut, had previously been represented by U.S. Senator Chris Murphy.

Hayes's entry into the Democratic primary attracted significant attention. Her candidacy was notable for several reasons: her personal biography, her status as a political newcomer, and the possibility that she could become the first Black woman to represent Connecticut in Congress.

The Democratic primary featured a competitive field. The AFL-CIO endorsed Eva Bermudez Zimmerman in the race. The primary also drew attention from national organizations; The Intercept reported on the dynamics of the race, noting the involvement of groups such as MoveOn.org and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in the broader Connecticut primary landscape.

On August 14, 2018, Hayes won the Democratic primary, a result that positioned her as the frontrunner in the heavily Democratic district. National media outlets covered the victory extensively. CNBC described her as a "teen mom turned Teacher of the Year" who was "on track to become Connecticut's first black congresswoman." The Washington Post published a feature on her journey from teen motherhood and the Teacher of the Year award to her congressional bid. TheGrio noted that Hayes could become the first Black Democrat elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from New England.

In the November 2018 general election, Hayes won the seat, becoming the first Black woman elected to represent Connecticut in the United States Congress. The New York Times covered her victory alongside other Connecticut election results. Her election was part of a broader wave that saw historic gains for women and candidates of color in the 2018 midterm elections, including the election of Ayanna Pressley as Massachusetts's first Black congresswoman.

U.S. House of Representatives

Hayes took office on January 3, 2019, representing Connecticut's 5th congressional district. She was the first woman of color in Congress's history to represent the state of Connecticut.

In Congress, Hayes has focused on a range of policy areas, with particular emphasis on education, nutrition, and agriculture. She has served on the House Agriculture Committee, where she became the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture. In this role, she has been active in overseeing policies related to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other federal food assistance programs.

Nutrition and Food Security Advocacy

Hayes has been a prominent congressional voice on issues of food security and nutrition assistance. As Ranking Member of the Nutrition Subcommittee, she has delivered opening statements at hearings examining federal nutrition programs and has been involved in legislative efforts to expand access to food assistance.

In September 2025, Hayes co-introduced landmark anti-hunger legislation alongside Congresswomen Alma Adams, Summer Lee, and Nydia Velázquez, as well as Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.

In October 2025, Hayes played a central role in organizing congressional opposition to a reported threat by the Trump administration not to use $5 billion in SNAP contingency funds to provide November benefits. She joined with House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig and 211 other House Democrats in a letter urging the USDA to take immediate action to fund SNAP benefits. Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher joined Hayes and Craig in the effort, characterizing SNAP benefits as essential for veterans, seniors, and children.

In February 2026, Hayes co-introduced legislation alongside Congresswomen Adams, Lee, and Lateefah Simon to improve access to SNAP benefits.

Government Shutdown and Constituent Engagement

In October 2025, during a federal government shutdown, Hayes participated in a livestream conversation hosted by the CT Mirror to address constituent concerns about the impact of the shutdown on Connecticut residents.

Subsequent Elections

Hayes has continued to represent the 5th district in subsequent terms. In the 2025–2026 election cycle, she faced a Republican challenger, Michele Botelho of Danbury, for the 5th Congressional District seat.

Personal Life

Hayes is married to Milford Hayes. Together, they have four children. She has been open about her experiences as a teenage mother, a fact that has been widely reported in profiles and news coverage of her career.

Hayes has maintained strong ties to Waterbury, the city where she was born and raised. Her personal connection to the community she represents has been a recurring theme in her public service, both as a teacher at a Waterbury high school and as the congressional representative for the district that includes the city.

She is registered as a Democrat in Connecticut.

Recognition

Hayes's most prominent honor is the 2016 National Teacher of the Year award, which recognized her work as a history teacher in Connecticut's public schools. The award, presented by the Council of Chief State School Officers, is considered one of the highest honors in the American teaching profession. Hayes's selection was covered by national media outlets and brought significant attention to her work with students in Waterbury.

The University of Bridgeport, where Hayes completed her Sixth-Year Certificate, publicly celebrated her achievement as National Teacher of the Year. The University of Saint Joseph, where she earned her master's degree, has also recognized her as a notable alumna.

Her 2018 election to Congress was itself a historic milestone, as she became the first Black woman and the first woman of color to represent Connecticut in the U.S. Congress. This achievement was recognized by the United States House of Representatives in its records of women of color who have served in Congress.

Hayes's personal story and political rise have been featured in major national publications, including The Washington Post, The New York Times, CNBC, TheGrio, The Intercept, and Chalkbeat, among others. The 74 Million, an education news outlet, profiled her extensively, framing her as a potential "new face of the Democratic Party."

Legacy

Hayes's career represents a notable intersection of education and politics in American public life. Her trajectory from a struggling student in Waterbury's public housing to National Teacher of the Year and then to the United States Congress has been cited as an example of upward mobility and the transformative potential of public education.

As the first Black woman to represent Connecticut in Congress, Hayes's election in 2018 was part of a broader shift in American political representation. Her victory, alongside those of other women of color elected in the same cycle—including Ayanna Pressley in Massachusetts—marked a historic expansion of diversity in the U.S. House of Representatives.

In the policy arena, Hayes has contributed to congressional debates on education, nutrition, and food security. Her role on the House Agriculture Committee's Nutrition Subcommittee has positioned her as a key Democratic voice on issues affecting low-income Americans' access to food assistance, particularly through the SNAP program.

Hayes's background as an educator has continued to inform her legislative work and public advocacy. Her experience as a classroom teacher in the community she now represents in Congress has provided her with a perspective that is relatively uncommon among members of the U.S. House, where former teachers constitute a small fraction of the membership.