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Erick Russell
Erick Russell is an American politician from Connecticut. A member of the Democratic Party, he is the Connecticut State Treasurer. He is the first openly gay African American elected to a statewide office in the United States. Early life and careerRussell grew up in New Haven, Connecticut, where his parents owned a convenience store and deli. He graduated from the University of New Haven in 2009 with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice,[1] becoming the first member of his family to graduate from college.[2] Russell earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 2012.[1][3][4] During law school, he interned for the general counsel to Governor Dannel Malloy.[2] After graduating from law school, Russell joined law firm Pullman & Comley, based in Bridgeport, Connecticut, in their department on public and private financing, and became a partner in the firm.[1][5] He also chairs the LGBT section of the Connecticut Bar Association.[6] In 2009, Russell was elected as a vice chair of the Connecticut Democratic Party.[2][7] Connecticut State TreasurerAfter Connecticut State Treasurer Shawn Wooden announced that he would not run for reelection in the 2022 Connecticut State Treasurer election, Russell announced his candidacy to succeed him.[7] He defeated Dita Bhargava and Karen DuBois-Walton in the Democratic Party primary election in August, receiving 58 percent of the vote.[8] In the November general election, Russell faced state representative Harry Arora, the Republican Party nominee. Russell won the election with 52 percent of the vote.[9] Russell became the first openly gay African American elected to a statewide office in the United States.[10][11] He was sworn into office on January 4, 2023.[12] Personal lifeRussell's husband, Christopher Lyddy, is a former member of the Connecticut House of Representatives.[13] References
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