CT HJ00163

Representative Ezequiel "Chequi" Santiago died on Friday, March 15, 2019, at age 45, representing Connecticut's 130th district for 10 years.

Born April 20, 1973, in Camden, New Jersey, and raised in Bridgeport's South End, Santiago earned a certificate in Computer Technical Support from Gibbs College and worked as a city statistics analyst and constituent representative.

Served on Bridgeport City Council from 2005-2008, then elected as State Representative in 2008, serving five terms as vice chairperson of Appropriations Committee, chairman of Banking Committee, vice chairman of Labor and Public Employees Committee, and Deputy Majority Whip.

Advocated for a Bridgeport casino, minimum wage increases, foreclosure mediation extension, worker protections, police training improvements, increased local police hiring, minority court representation, and funding for local social services.

Connecticut General Assembly expresses sympathy to Santiago's surviving family members and directs the House and Senate clerks to send a copy of the resolution to his family.