Duff & Winfield to Lead Largest Senate Democratic Majority in State History

HARTFORD – The 33-member Senate Democratic caucus today voted to elect Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) and Senator Gary Winfield (D-New Haven) as Senate President Pro Tempore and Senate Majority Leader, respectively, for the 2027-2028 legislative session.

Senators Duff and Winfield will take their new posts when the General Assembly is sworn in on January 6, 2027, and will lead the largest Senate Democratic majority in Connecticut history. Senator Winfield will be the first Black Senate Majority Leader in the state’s history. They succeed Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven), the longest-serving Senate President Pro Tempore in Connecticut history, who is retiring.

“We are honored that our colleagues have trusted us to lead the Senate Democratic caucus for the next two years. On Tuesday, the people of Connecticut once again chose Senate Democrats to keep building on the work of making this state more affordable, protecting their rights and freedoms, and standing up for our residents when Washington turns its back on them. We take that trust seriously.

“We also want to thank Senator Looney, whose knowledge of the law, dedication to this institution, and lifelong commitment to working families have left their mark on nearly every major piece of legislation this chamber has passed in a generation. We are proud to carry that work forward, and we pledge to work for all the people of Connecticut over the next two years,” said Senators Duff and Winfield.