Antonio Felipe

Antonio Felipe (born 1996) is an American politician. He was first elected to the Connecticut House of Representatives in a 2019 special election.

Antonio Felipe
Member of the Connecticut House of Representatives from District 130
Incumbent
Assumed office May 13, 2019
Preceded by	Ezequiel Santiago
Personal details
Born	1996 (age 24–25)
Political party	Democratic
Parents	Ruben Felipe
Residence	Bridgeport, Connecticut

Antonio Felipe's father Ruben worked for Bill Finch during Finch's term as mayor of Bridgeport, Connecticut.[1] Antonio was raised in Bridgeport, and attends Housatonic Community College.[2] He managed the political campaigns of state representative Chris Rosario and city councillor Maria Viggiano.[1][2] He first ran at age 23 in a special election to replace Ezequiel Santiago who died in office. Felipe defeated Republican Party candidate Joshua Parrow, and three Democratic Party candidates, among them former state legislators Héctor A. Díaz and Christina Ayala, as well as Kate Rivera.[3][4] Felipe was the youngest candidate in the special election, and drew criticism for having to move back to Bridgeport to contest the election, as he and his family had relocated to Stratford one year prior.[5][6] Felipe assumed office on May 13, 2019.[7] He faced Kelvin Ayala in the 2020 Democratic Party primary for the 130th house district.[8][9]

References

1. Lockhart, Brian (March 28, 2019). "Candidates lining up to succeed Rep. Santiago". Connecticut Post. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
2. "Dems Endorse Antonio Felipe To Fill Santiago State House Seat". Only in Bridgeport. March 29, 2019. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
3. Pazniokas, Mark (May 7, 2019). "Antonio Felipe wins special election in Bridgeport". Connecticut Mirror. Archived from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved July 13, 2019. Alt URL
4. "Young Dem Antonio Felipe Wins State House Special Election Over Insurgent Kate Rivera". Only in Bridgeport. May 8, 2019. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
5. "Young candidate endorsed by Dems gains attention in state House race". News 12 Connecticut. April 19, 2019. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
6. Lockhart, Brian (May 1, 2019). "5 candidates battle for Santiago's legislative seat". Connecticut Post. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
7. "Following Special Election Win, Antonio Felipe Joins CT Legislature". Only in Bridgeport. May 13, 2019. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
8. Lockhart, Brian (August 6, 2020). "Youth versus experience in Democratic primary for 130th House seat". Connecticut Post. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
9. Fry, Ethan (August 12, 2020). "Felipe calls victory, Ayala concedes in 130th District Democratic primary". Connecticut Post. Retrieved August 24, 2020.