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My Unlikely Path as a 22-Year-Old Lawmaker
by Will Haskell
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.
"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." - Kirkus Reviews
"In this spirited debut memoir, Connecticut state senator Haskell recounts his 2018 upset victory over a Republican incumbent who had been in office for more than 20 years...His passion is infectious, and he provides plenty of instructive insider details. This earnest and enthusiastic account is a welcome introduction to politics for young people interested in making their voices heard." - Publishers Weekly
"Will Haskell proves that young people are never to be underestimated. Uplifting and funny, 100,000 First Bosses is an inspiring and wise blueprint for how you can change the world. Haskell shows how you can get engaged and fight for the future you want." - Tammy Duckworth
"Will Haskell's story illustrates that he and his generation are not only ready to use their voices to drive change—they are ready to lead." - Al Gore
"Every young person considering a run for office—or just looking for a more meaningful way to engage in our democracy—should pick up Will's book. It's...thoughtful, insightful, and as befits a rising star in Connecticut politics, inspiring. You'll love it!" - Amanda Litman, co-founder, Run for Something
This information about 100,000 First Bosses was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Will Haskell was elected in 2018 to represent seven towns, including his hometown, in the Connecticut State Senate. Just a few months after graduating from college, he and his roommate-turned-campaign manager unseated a Republican incumbent who had been in the legislature for longer than Will had been alive. Their campaign activated an army of young volunteers who were energized by the fight to end gun violence, and together they broke a tie in the Senate by flipping the district Blue. In the Senate, Will serves as the Chair of the Transportation Committee and the Vice Chair of the Government Administration and Elections Committee. His spent his first term focusing on college affordability, transportation improvements, and voting rights. In 2019, he helped create Connecticut's free community college program, so that every high school graduate has an opportunity to pursue a degree. He lives in Westport, Connecticut, and is still dating his lab partner from high school physics. 100,000 First Bosses is his first book.
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