100,000 First Bosses

President Obama left office with these parting words for Americans: “If you’re disappointed by your elected officials, grab a clipboard, get some signatures, and run for office yourself.” Twenty-two-year-old Will Haskell decided to do just that, eventually overtaking an incumbent who had remained undefeated Will’s entire life and becoming the youngest state Senator in Connecticut history. Connecticut-based organizer and artist Hale McSharry sits down with Sen. Haskell to discuss his passion for public service and his new book, “100,000 First Bosses: My Unlikely Path as a 22-Year Old Lawmaker”.

Senator Will Haskell

Sanmaya Mohanty

State Senator Will Haskell was elected in November 2018 to represent the 26th State Senate District. Born in 1996, he is the youngest member of the General Assembly. Sen. Haskell attended the Westport Public Schools and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Georgetown University. Prior to serving in the State Senate, Senator Haskell interned for the Democratic National Committee, analyzing state legislation and fighting for voting rights. He also assisted the Community Tax Aid program in Washington D.C., working with low-income residents as they filed their taxes. While at Georgetown, Sen. Haskell helped launch the Free Speech Project, dedicated to monitoring and protecting freedom of expression. In Connecticut, Sen. Haskell developed a passion for improving our criminal justice system after working with Connecticut’s Office of the Public Defender, where he helped connect low-income defendants with social workers and attorneys. He has worked on a variety of local, state and federal campaigns, including those of U.S. Senator Chris Murphy and Congressman Jim Himes. In high school, Sen. Haskell drew national attention to the issue of cyberbullying in Staples High School. After graduating from Georgetown, Sen. Haskell returned to his home town. He decided to run for office with the mission of drawing other recent graduates back to Connecticut. As the Senate Chairman of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee, Sen. Haskell is laser-focused on providing businesses with the 21st century workforce they need in order to thrive in Connecticut. With an eye towards Connecticut’s future, Sen. Haskell is determined to help build a state that is affordable and appealing to every generation.

Hale McSharry

Sanmaya Mohanty

Organizer, activist, and theatre artist based in Brooklyn, NY. Northwestern University ('17). Greenwich Representative Town Meeting member (District 5, 2019-2021). Proud member, Democratic Socialists of America. Currently: New York Working Families Party.