Biography
Tireless advocate for middle class families
Elizabeth Esty is Representative-elect for Connecticut's 5th Congressional District. Elizabeth is a community leader, attorney, and mother who has earned a reputation as a tireless, progressive advocate for the middle class. Elizabeth lives in Cheshire with her husband of 27 years, Dan Esty. They have three children, Sarah, Thomas, and Jonathan, who are all products of Connecticut’s public schools.
Elizabeth grew up in a close-knit middle class family herself, the third of four children. With the help of scholarships, she was able to go to college and earn a law degree.
As an attorney and educator, she has focused on issues critical to the well-being of Connecticut’s families: health care, Social Security, and Medicare policy.
Champion for taxpayers who knows government can be effective and smart
During her service on the local town council and as a state representative, Elizabeth was a champion for Connecticut’s taxpayers. As a local official, she ensured that budget surpluses were used to pay down debt and establish a Rainy Day Fund, while providing property tax relief to seniors and strong support for our public schools. As a legislator, Elizabeth made her mark as a deficit hawk, taking on her own party leaders for responsible budgeting and cutting her own pay by returning 10% of her salary to taxpayers.
Standing up for what’s right
Elizabeth has never been afraid to stand up for what she believes, no matter how tough the fight. She has a long record of advocacy for pro-choice causes, volunteering for Planned Parenthood while in college, and authoring Supreme Court briefs for medical providers. Elizabeth proudly voted in the legislature to ensure full marriage rights and benefits to gay couples.
A fighter for Connecticut’s economy and our future
When Pratt and Whitney closed a local plant, laying off 1000 skilled workers, Elizabeth helped lead the charge to get new job placements or early retirement packages for the workers. Elizabeth has a plan to reinvigorate manufacturing to rebuild our middle class. She also understands that small businesses are the engine of job creation and has worked with businesses to help create new jobs. And she has helped lead the effort to create the green jobs of the future right here in Connecticut, so our best and brightest don’t have to leave to get good jobs.
Using her life’s experiences to help the middle class
Like many parents, Elizabeth has spent her evenings and weekends at PTA meetings, soccer fields, and hockey rinks. She has a life-long record of service to her church, as well as extensive involvement with the local Chamber of Commerce, League of Women Voters, Land Trust, Cheshire Public Library, and the United Way.
In Congress, Elizabeth will use her life’s experiences – as a community leader, attorney, and mom – to help middle class families and get our country back on track.
