Derek Slap is a Democratic state senator representing Connecticut's 5th Senate District, which includes West Hartford, Farmington, Burlington, and portions of Bloomfield. Born around 1973, he serves as Deputy Majority Leader in the Connecticut Senate after winning a special election on February 26, 2019, and being sworn in on March 1, 2019. Previously, he represented the 19th House District in the Connecticut House of Representatives from 2017 to 2019.

Notable achievements include leading the passage of a bill creating an independent consumer advocate for the Metropolitan District , which passed unanimously; introducing legislation to close the gender wage gap by prohibiting salary history inquiries, enacted in 2018; and receiving an ARC Angel Award in 2017 for advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities. He prioritizes support for non-profits, public schools, people with disabilities, budget equity, and MDC governance improvements. Slap currently serves as Senate Chair of the Committee on Children, Vice-Chair of the Aging Committee, and member of Commerce, Higher Education & Employment Advancement, Human Services, and Transportation committees.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Syracuse University , University of Connecticut .
• Professional Experience: Vice President of Advancement at The Village for Families and Children; previously Vice President of Marketing and Communications at the UConn Foundation; lecturer in political science at Yale University; adjunct communications professor at Quinnipiac, Sacred Heart, Central Connecticut State, Southern Connecticut State, and Eastern Connecticut State universities; television news anchor and reporter for NBC Connecticut; chief of staff and director of communications for the Senate Democratic Caucus.
• Political Experience: Connecticut House of Representatives ; Connecticut State Senate , Democratic Deputy Majority Leader.