| Erick Russell | |
| Office: | 84th Treasurer of Connecticut |
| Governor: | Ned Lamont |
| Term Start: | January 4, 2023 |
| Predecessor: | Shawn Wooden |
| Party: | Democratic |
| Spouse: | Christopher Lyddy |
| Education: | University of New Haven (BA) University of Connecticut (JD) |
Erick Russell is an American politician from Connecticut. A member of the Democratic Party, he is the Connecticut State Treasurer. He is the first openly gay African American elected to a statewide office in the United States.
Russell grew up in New Haven, Connecticut, where his parents owned a convenience store and deli. He graduated from the University of New Haven in 2009 with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice,[1] becoming the first member of his family to graduate from college. Russell earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 2012.[1] [2] [3] During law school, he interned for the general counsel to Governor Dannel Malloy.[4]
After graduating from law school, Russell joined law firm Pullman & Comley, based in Bridgeport, Connecticut, in their department on public and private financing, and became a partner in the firm.[1] [5] He also chairs the LGBT section of the Connecticut Bar Association.[6] In 2009, Russell was elected as a vice chair of the Connecticut Democratic Party.[4]
After Connecticut State Treasurer Shawn Wooden announced that he would not run for reelection in the 2022 Connecticut State Treasurer election, Russell announced his candidacy to succeed him.[7] He defeated Dita Bhargava and Karen DuBois-Walton in the Democratic Party primary election in August, receiving 58 percent of the vote.[8] In the November general election, Russell faced state representative Harry Arora, the Republican Party nominee. Russell won the election with 52 percent of the vote.[9] Russell became the first openly gay African American elected to a statewide office in the United States.[10] [11] He was sworn into office on January 4, 2023.[12]
Russell's husband, Christopher Lyddy, is a former member of the Connecticut House of Representatives.[13]