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Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty

Representing the 5th District of Connecticut

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Biography

Rep. Elizabeth EstyElizabeth Esty is the U.S. Representative for the 5th Congressional District of Connecticut. The district spans northwest and central Connecticut and includes Waterbury, Meriden, Danbury, Litchfield County, the Farmington Valley, and her hometown of Cheshire.

Elizabeth was elected to Congress on November 6, 2012. She knows that job creation and economic development is a top priority for the residents of the 5th District. She’s committed to reinvigorating the district’s manufacturing tradition through investments in infrastructure, research and development, and job training. She is also a strong proponent of helping small businesses and promoting the green jobs of the future in the 5th District.

In Congress, Elizabeth serves on the following committees:

  •  Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
    • Highways and Transit Subcommittee
    • Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee
    • Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee
  •  Science, Space and Technology
    •  Research and Technology Subcommittee

Elizabeth also serves as Vice Chair for the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. As the Representative for Newtown, CT, Elizabeth believes it is critical for our country to address gun violence and make a strong commitment to keeping families safe. That means sensible gun policies – expanded criminal background checks on all commercial gun sales, stricter penalties for illegal gun trafficking and straw purchases, a ban on high-capacity magazines, and a firm and lasting commitment to mental health services.

Elizabeth served in the Connecticut General Assembly (2009-2011) and the Cheshire Town Council (2005-2008), where she balanced the budget while providing property tax relief to seniors and ensuring strong funding for public schools. Elizabeth has also acted on her lifetime commitment to equality and fairness. As an attorney at Sidley Austin, she authored Supreme Court briefs for medical providers to protect access to reproductive health services. In the state legislature, she proudly voted for full marriage rights and benefits for gay couples.

Elizabeth graduated from Harvard University in 1981 and earned her law degree from Yale Law School in 1985. After clerking for U.S. District Judge Robert Keeton of Massachusetts, she joined the firm of Sidley Austin and served as a member of the Supreme Court bar. She later taught as an adjunct professor at American University and worked in healthcare and Medicare policy as a Senior Research scholar at Yale.

Elizabeth lives in Cheshire with her husband of 31 years, Dan Esty. As a mother of three—Sarah, Thomas, and Jonathan—Elizabeth spent her evenings and weekends at PTA meetings, soccer fields, and hockey rinks. She is thankful for the opportunity to serve her church and her community, working with the local Chamber of Commerce, League of Women Voters, Land Trust, Cheshire Public Library, and the United Way.