Fronting Wilbur Cross School, her home precinct, ex state senate candidate Shanté Hanks formally endorsed college professor Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox to replace a retiring Marilyn Moore asserting “I am supporting Sujata because we share the same values. Like me, Sujata is a woman who understands the importance of investment in education and knows that progress requires collaboration.”
Hanks decided to back her ex rival over three men – former Mayor Bill Finch, City Councilman Scott Burns and ex councilman Tyler Mack – arguing “women bring a unique and much needed perspective to our state senate, the general assembly and within our delegation. Sujata will bring the breath of fresh air that we need and this is why I stand before you to say, I’m with her.”
The Democratic primary will take place August 13.
This is a key endorsement for the Trumbull resident from a long-time Bridgeport advocate who came close to winning a State House seat in 2018 and says she’s prepared to knock on doors and make phone calls to her contacts in the portion of Bridgeport she knows the best. Hanks enjoys a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Bridgeport.
Connecticut’s 22nd Senatorial is diverse covering about two thirds of Bridgeport, all of Trumbull and southern Monroe. It requires partnerships to balance the interests of the district with a mix of strong neighborhoods and pockets of poverty.
Hanks noted that if Gadkar-Wilcox does not prevail all Bridgeport-centric members of the city’s legislative delegation will be males.
Hanks has extensive experience as a housing professional in both federal and state government. She currently serves as Senior Advisor for Education and Sustainable Housing Stability for Connecticut’s Department of Housing, Department of Education and Office of Early Education. She formerly served as deputy commissioner of housing.
Hanks had secured enough delegate support at last month’s party convention to qualify for the primary but opted out recently in the large field. She said she considered the assets of the other candidates but decided her commonality with Gadkar-Wilcox both in gender and issues made the decision for her.
“Sujata’s commitment to seeing cities and suburbs working together resonates with me, as I believe collaboration is essential for progress,” said Hanks. “She represents the kind of leadership we need and I am confident in her ability to make a difference. This is why I am standing with Sujata.”
Gadkar-Wilcox is familiar with urban areas having been raised in Queens, New York. She is a professor of constitutional law at Quinnipiac.
She’s a member of the Trumbull Ethics Commission and serves as a commissioner on the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities.
“I am so honored to be endorsed by Dr. Shanté Hanks, one of the most accomplished and well-respected people I have ever had the pleasure to meet,” she said. “I am the educator in this race. I believe that all students have the right to an excellent education. Dr. Hanks and I understand that we are in this together, and I welcome others to join me in our fight for a better and united Bridgeport, Monroe, and Trumbull community.
“We are both women, we are both educators, we are both commissioners working on issues like housing and employment discrimination, which address the most fundamental and basic needs of people – and ensuring that everyone gets treated fairly. We are serious about serving our community. That is precisely what the 22nd State Senate seat needs.”
Gadkar-Wilcox is participating in Connecticut’s Citizens Election Program of publicly funded races. State senate candidates must raise $17,300 from at least 300 individuals residing in municipalities in their districts to receive an approximate $110,000 for a primary. The maximum personal contribution is $320. No contributions from state contractors or PACs. The full general election grant is $124,000.
