Senator Herron Keyon Gaston

Herron Keyon Gaston is a Democratic state senator representing Connecticut's 23rd Senate District, which covers parts of Bridgeport and Stratford. Elected in November 2022 and sworn in for his first term in 2023, his term extends through 2027. Notable achievements include being named one of the 100 Most Influential Blacks in Connecticut by the NAACP in 2024, founding the Gaston Justice Coalition to reduce violence and incarceration, authoring four books, and holding leadership roles such as Senate Co-Chair of the Public Safety & Security Committee and Vice Chair of the Housing Committee.

Herron Keyon Gaston, born in Haines City, Florida, as the third of six children to Moses and Mary Jasper-Gaston, resides in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He serves as Senior Pastor of Summerfield United Methodist Church in Bridgeport and has held positions including Vice President and Chief of Staff at the University of Bridgeport, Assistant Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Bridgeport, past president of the Bridgeport Civil Service Commission, chaplain for the Bridgeport Police Department, and board member for Children in Placement. His career spans governmental relations, higher education administration, criminal justice, church leadership, and social justice advocacy, including roles as a Gubernatorial Fellow in the Florida Governor’s Office, legislative analyst for the Florida Department of Corrections, and congressional intern for the late Rep. John Lewis. He is also a national political commentator and founder/director of the faith-based Gaston Justice Coalition Group, LLC.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Bachelor's degree in political science and master's degree in public administration from Florida A&M University; Doctor of Law from Quinnipiac University School of Law; certification in Human Rights from the University of Oxford.
• Political Experience: Elected to the Connecticut State Senate in 2022 for the 23rd District; Deputy President Pro Tempore; current committee roles include Co-Chair of Public Safety & Security, Vice Chair of Housing, and memberships in Finance, Revenue and Bonding; Human Services; and Judiciary committees. Previously worked for high-ranking officials at local, state, and national levels, with a focus on civil rights, voting rights, and reentry programs for formerly incarcerated individuals.