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Haskell, Will.
Legislators. Connecticut. Biography.
United States. Politics and government. 21st century.
Haskell graduated from Georgetown University days before accepting the nomination to run for state senator in the 26th district of Connecticut. After the 2016 presidential election, he was inspired to work against what he saw as a turn towards extremism. Looking at the voting record of Toni Boucher, the Republican senator who represented his hometown of Westport since 2008, Haskell learned that Boucher had voted against many causes that he championed. After numerous coffee chats with local political figures and many calls to the local Democratic party, he decided to run against Boucher. 100,000 First Bosses chronicles Haskell's decision to run for office and his first term in the Connecticut State Senate. He recounts lessons learned along the campaign trail and reflects on how his age, race, and gender were assets and challenges to winning over his constituents. Even when discussing detailed legislative negotiations and difficult decisions, Haskell's memoir is an engaging guidebook for members of Gen Z who want to make a positive impact in their communities.
Kirkus ReviewsThe youngest man to ever occupy a seat in the Connecticut state legislature tells the story of his unlikely run for office and the lessons learned as a freshman senator.When all his fellow college juniors were thinking about their first jobs or graduate school, Haskell decided to run for the Connecticut General Assembly. Though he didn't boast "the typical résumé of a candidate for state Senate-no law or business degree, no decades of service on a local board or commission, no spouse and kids to put on a glossy mailer," he did have an Obama-inspired belief in the power of positive change and a profound distrust of the Trump administration. His underdog status against a far more entrenched political insider fueled his determination to not only win, but also break the Democrat-Republican tie in the state senate and end political gridlock. Coffee-shop conversations with local politicos that felt like "job interviews" led to discussions with other plugged-in political figures, who regarded Haskell with extreme skepticism. Undaunted, he found the beginnings of support in a state representative who began schooling him on major issues affecting Connecticut. A grassroots campaign effort followed along with the eventual support of seasoned political consultants who helped Haskell win over older voters. Seeking to stay "above the fray" and ignore his opponent's attacks, Haskell won the 2018 state senate race. He then began his yearlong political education in fighting for the policies about which he was passionate, including free college and gun control, while learning from his mistakes (dozing off during a congressional session). Refreshingly candid and optimistic, this account offers much-needed hope to all Americans and especially to the politically underrepresented younger generations seeking change in a world increasingly hostile to their pursuits of health, wealth, and happiness.Inspiring reading for aspiring politicians or anyone seeking substantive change.
The underdog story of Will Haskell, who became a Democratic state Senator in 2018 at age twenty-two—taking on an incumbent who had been undefeated for Haskell’s entire life and earning an endorsement from President Obama—and is determined to pave the way for his peers to transform government from the bottom up.
President Obama left office with these parting words for Americans: “If you’re disappointed by your elected officials, grab a clipboard, get some signatures, and run for office yourself.” Twenty-two-year-old Will Haskell decided to do just that. If he ran for office and won, he would become the youngest state Senator in Connecticut history.
For years, Haskell’s hometown had reelected the same politician who opposed passing paid family leave, fought increases in the minimum wage, and voted down expansions of voting rights. Haskell’s own vision for Connecticut’s future couldn’t be more different, and he couldn’t stand the idea of an uncontested election. In 2018, he would be a college grad looking for his first job. Why not state Senator?
When Haskell kicks off his campaign in the spring of his senior year, he’s an unknown college kid facing a popular incumbent who’s been in office for over two decades—as long as Haskell’s been alive. Haskell’s campaign manager is his roommate and his treasurer is his girlfriend’s mom. He doesn’t have any professional experience. But he does have a powerful message: there’s no minimum age to being on the right side of history.
Six months later, Haskell’s shocking upset victory gives him a historic seat in the state Senate and the responsibility to serve the 100,000 constituents in his district. Like any first job, his first term as a legislator is filled with trial and error. Creating a program that funds free tuition at Connecticut’s community colleges—nice work. Falling asleep on the senate floor—needs improvement.
In the tradition of Pete Buttigieg’s Shortest Way Home and Greta Thunberg’s No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference, 100,000 First Bosses is the story of how one twentysomething candidate waged the campaign of his young life, fought for change at the state capitol, and proved that his generation is ready to claim a seat at the table.