Josh Elliott

Josh Elliott grew up in Connecticut and attended high school in Hamden. He is a Democratic Party member who currently serves as a State Representative from District 88 in the Connecticut House of Representatives. Elliott is a small business owner who co-owns and manages two family-run natural food stores in his community. He has established himself as a leading progressive voice advocating for policies that strengthen Connecticut's economy and keep it competitive with surrounding states.

Education

Elliott earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Ithaca College and later obtained his *Juris Doctor * from Quinnipiac School of Law.

Political Experience

Elliott was first elected to the Connecticut House of Representatives in 2016, when he won a historic primary for the 88th District seat by successfully challenging the sitting Speaker of the Connecticut House. He has been re-elected by wide margins in each subsequent cycle and currently serves as Deputy Speaker and Majority Caucus Co-Chair.

Elliott's legislative priorities include tax reform, workers' rights, and criminal justice reform. He founded and chairs the Tax Equity Caucus, working to reform Connecticut's regressive tax system. He has supported landmark legislation including raising the minimum wage, guaranteeing paid sick days for all workers, and establishing paid family and medical leave.

In the criminal justice arena, Elliott has championed efforts to ban solitary confinement, restore voting privileges for formerly incarcerated individuals on parole, and eliminate costs for incarcerated individuals to make phone calls to loved ones—an initiative that made Connecticut the first state to remove these charges. He has also advocated for proper immunizations in public schools and electoral reform, including implementing ranked-choice voting systems.

Currently, Elliott serves on the Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committee, the Public Health Committee, and the Judiciary Committee. On the national stage, he served as chief whip for Vice President Kamala Harris from the Connecticut delegation at the Democratic National Convention.