Roland Lemar is a Democratic state representative serving Connecticut's 96th Assembly District in New Haven since 2011, after first being elected in 2010. A resident of New Haven's East Rock neighborhood, he previously served as an alderman for Ward 9 on the New Haven Board of Aldermen from 2006 to 2010, chairing its Legislation Committee, and as a member of the New Haven City Plan Commission. He has held leadership roles including House Chair of the General Law Committee, member of the Finance, Revenue & Bonding and Planning & Development Committees, Majority Caucus Chair , and Democratic Caucus Chair .

Education and Political Experience

Lemar earned a B.A. in political science from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. His political career began locally in New Haven, where he advocated for environmental initiatives like energy efficiency programs, an Office of Sustainability, recycling expansions, and green cleaning in municipal buildings, as well as support for commercial districts.

Notable Achievements and Positions

Lemar played a key role in passing Connecticut's Earned Income Tax Credit for working families, a jobs bill hiring thousands of residents, and clean energy reforms. He has received awards from groups like the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters, Bike Walk Connecticut, Connecticut Fair Housing Center, Building Trades of Connecticut, and the Connecticut State Medical Society for healthcare support. In 2014, he was selected for the Henry Toll Fellowship, and in 2015 named a Rising State Leader in International Affairs by the Embassy of Canada.