Toni Harp facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Toni Harp
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| 50th Mayor of New Haven | |
| In office January 1, 2014 – January 1, 2020 |
|
| Preceded by | John DeStefano Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Justin Elicker |
| Member of the Connecticut State Senate from the 10th district |
|
| In office January 1993 – January 2013 |
|
| Preceded by | Charles H. Allen III |
| Succeeded by | Gary Winfield |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 6, 1947 San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Other political affiliations |
Working Families |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | Roosevelt University Yale University (M.E.D.) |
Toni Nathaniel Harp, born on August 6, 1947, is an American politician. She was the 50th Mayor of New Haven, Connecticut. Before becoming mayor, Ms. Harp was a state senator in Connecticut. She served in the Connecticut Senate from 1993 to 2013. As a senator, she represented parts of New Haven and West Haven. She is a member of the Democratic Party.
Contents
Early Life and Public Service
Education and First Steps in Politics
Toni Harp was born in San Francisco. She went to Roosevelt University. Later, she earned a Master of Environmental Design degree from Yale University. Before becoming mayor, Ms. Harp served in other important roles. She was a State Senator and a New Haven Alderman. An Alderman is a local elected official who helps govern a city. In 1992, she won the Democratic nomination for State Senator. She defeated the person who held the position before her.
Key Ideas and Bills
As a State Senator, Toni Harp worked on different issues. In 2007, she suggested a bill to help poor mothers. This bill aimed to have the state pay for free diapers. After the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012, she introduced another bill. This bill suggested that all Connecticut school children should have mental health screenings.
Becoming Mayor of New Haven
First Election as Mayor
In the spring of 2013, Toni Harp announced her plan to run for Mayor of New Haven. This position had been held for a long time by John DeStefano, Jr.. Ms. Harp won the election against her opponent, Justin Elicker. She received 10,602 votes, which was about 54.46 percent of the total.
Making History in New Haven
Toni Harp made history when she became Mayor. She was the first woman to serve as Mayor of New Haven. She was also the second African American person to hold this office. The first was John C. Daniels.
Re-elections and Later Campaigns
Ms. Harp was reelected as mayor in 2015. She won with a large majority of the votes. She was reelected for a third term in 2017 as well. In April 2019, she announced she would seek a fourth term. However, Justin Elicker, her opponent from 2013, defeated her in the Democratic primary election. She then ran in the general election under the Working Families Party label. On November 5, she was defeated by Justin Elicker.
See also
- Connecticut Senate
