Gary Winfield Elected Connecticut Senate Majority Leader
New Haven's Gary Winfield won the Senate Democrats' number-two post for a two-year term
NEW HAVEN, CT — State Sen. Gary Winfield was elected Senate majority leader Thursday, Nov. 5, when the 33-member Senate Democratic caucus voted at a lunch and leadership meeting at Amarante's in Morris Cove. The New Haven Independent reported that the post is the chamber's number-two role for a two-year term.
For more than a decade, Winfield has represented the 10th State Senate District, encompassing New Haven's west side and part of West Haven, the New Haven Independent reported. On Nov. 3, he ran without opposition for a seventh two-year term.
The Nov. 3 election left Democrats with three Republicans in the 36-member Senate next term. Winfield said having three Republicans was “clearly not something we were expecting,” calling three “almost unimaginable.”
Norwalk State Sen. Bob Duff won election as president pro tempore, CT News Junkie reported. The New Haven Independent reported that Duff's election opened the way for another Democrat to pursue the majority leader post, which often serves as a path to president pro tempore. Martin Looney of New Haven retired this year after serving in the president pro tempore post longer than any other senator in state history.
Winfield will become the first Black Senate majority leader in state history. Winfield, who is 52 and lives in Newhallville, has served as chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee for a long time, the New Haven Independent reported. Winfield and Duff will assume their posts on Jan. 6, 2027, when the General Assembly is sworn in.
In a phone interview with the Independent, Winfield said he expects "the really difficult work and long hours" ahead. He said the majority leader helps set the flow of Senate business, including when bills reach the floor, and plays a key role in crafting the state budget.
With a 33-member Democratic majority, Winfield said, “we don't have an excuse” when it comes to delivering on affordability, housing, and education. In a joint statement, Winfield and Duff said they take the caucus's trust seriously and will build on work to make the state more affordable and protect rights and freedoms.
