American politician
Janis Hochadel known as Jan Hochadel (; née Bibby ; born January 21, 1964[ 1] ) is an American engineer, educator and politician. She currently serves as a member of the Connecticut State Senate representing District 13 , which encompasses Meriden , Middlefield and parts of Cheshire and Middletown . She assumed office on January 4, 2023.[ 2] She won election following the resignation of Mary Daugherty Abrams at the end of 2022.[ 3] [ 4] She is the former president and incumbent vice president of the American Federation of Teachers Connecticut (AFT) .[ 5] [ 6] [ 7]
Early life and education
Hochadel was born Janis Bibby on January 21, 1964, in North Attleborough, Massachusetts to Richard and Judith (née Freeman) Bibby.[ 8] Her father was a highway maintenance engineer for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation , while his wife was a homemaker.[ 9] She had one elder sister, Cheryl Lynn Reinbold (1962-2023) and a brother Mark Bibby. She graduated from North Attleborough High School and then completed a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical engineering at the University of New Haven . She also holds a Masters of Education from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield .[ 10]
Career
She started her career after graduation at Omega Engineering in Stamford, Connecticut and Pfizer in Wallingford and New York City . After her career in engineering she opted to teach physics and science at technical high schools in Connecticut . In 2015, she became the president of the Connecticut chapter of the American Federation of Teachers .[ 11]
Politics
Hochadel was elected into Connecticut State Senate in the 2022 Connecticut primary election on November 8, 2022, defeating Republican candidate Joseph Vollano. She assumed office on January 4, 2022.[ 12] She currently is a deputy majority leader and Chair of the Aging commission as well as vice chair of the Environment commission. Hochadel is also a member of the Banking, Commerce, Housing as well as Planning & Development commissions.[ 13]
Personal life
Hochadel is divorced and has three children. She resides in Meriden, Connecticut .[ 14]
References
^ United States Public Records, 1970-2009
^ "Jan Hochadel" . Ballotpedia . Retrieved 2023-04-11 .
^ Pazniokas, Mark (2022-04-01). "Sen. Mary Daugherty Abrams, facing illness, opts against reelection" . CT Mirror . Retrieved 2023-04-11 .
^ Day, Cassandra (2022-11-04). "Hochadel, Vollano vying for CT Senate 13th District seat" . The Middletown Press . Retrieved 2023-04-11 .
^ "Jan Hochadel | AFT Connecticut" . aftct.org . Retrieved 2023-04-11 .
^ "Jan Hochadel" . InfluenceWatch . Retrieved 2023-04-11 .
^ https://www.myrecordjournal.com/News/Meriden/Meriden-News/Democrat-Hochadel-enters-race-for-13th-Senate-District.html
^ Fenster, Jordan Nathaniel (2023-03-17). "How a new CT state senator handled two tragedies a month after taking office" . CT Insider . Retrieved 2023-04-11 .
^ "Richard Bibby Obituary (1938 - 2023) - Naples, FL - Sun Chronicle" . Legacy.com . Retrieved 2023-04-11 .
^ "Jan Hochadel" . American Federation of Teachers . 2016-09-13. Retrieved 2023-04-11 .
^ "Jan Hochadel CT State Senator for Cheshire, Meriden, Middlefield, Middletown » CBIA" . CBIA . Retrieved 2023-04-11 .
^ "Jan Hochadel" . Ballotpedia . Retrieved 2023-04-11 .
^ Hall, Foster. "About Senator Hochadel" . Connecticut Senate Democrats . Retrieved 2023-04-11 .
^ United States Public Records