Maryam Khan (born 1988) is a Pakistan-born American politician who has been a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives since winning a special election to the 5th House District of Windsor and Hartford in 2022.[1] She is the first Muslim elected to the Connecticut House of Representatives and the second elected to the Connecticut General Assembly after State Senator Saud Anwar.[2]

Maryam Khan
Member of the Connecticut House of Representatives
from the 5th district
Assumed office
2022
Preceded byBrandon McGee
Personal details
Born1988 (age 35–36)
Pakistan
Political partyDemocratic
ResidenceWindsor, Connecticut
ProfessionTeacher
Signature

Background

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Khan emigrated to the United States from Pakistan as a child in 1994. Khan was a special educational needs teacher before entering politics.[3]

Political career

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Khan won nearly 75% of the votes the special-election in the 5th district to succeed Brandon McGee in 2022.[4]

Personal life

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Khan lives in Windsor, Connecticut, with her husband and three children.[5]

Attack

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On June 28, 2023, Khan was assaulted while taking pictures with her family, including her three children, outside the XL Center arena. The assault happened after a morning prayer service hosted by the Islamic Center of Connecticut. The attacker, Andrey Desmond, approached and made numerous suggestive and threatening comments towards Khan. When she tried to walk away, Desmond put his arm around her neck, tried to kiss her, slapped her across the face and threw her to the ground. Desmond later pleaded guilty to attempted third-degree sexual assault, strangulation and risk of injury to a child.[6]

Electoral history

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2022 special election: District 5[7]
Candidate Party Votes %
Maryam Khan Democratic 706 74.6
Charles Jackson Republican 136 14.4
Lawrence Jaggon Independent 104 11.0
Turnout 851 8.7

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Pazniokas, Mark (2022-03-02). "Maryam Khan elected as first Muslim member of CT House". CT Mirror. Retrieved 2022-03-31.
  2. ^ "Maryam Khan elected as first Muslim member of CT House". Connecticut Public. 2022-03-02. Retrieved 2022-03-31.
  3. ^ SunniOnline (2022-03-03). "Maryam Khan elected as first Muslim member of CT House". SunniOnline. Retrieved 2022-03-31.
  4. ^ "Maryam Khan elected as first Muslim member of CT House". Connecticut Public. 2022-03-01. Retrieved 2022-03-31.
  5. ^ "Biography | Connecticut House Democrats". housedems.ct.gov. Retrieved 2022-03-31.
  6. ^ "Lawmaker Is Left With 'Lifetime Trauma' as Attacker Pleads Guilty". www.nytimes.com. Retrieved 2024-04-07.
  7. ^ Pazniokas, Mark (2022-03-02). "Maryam Khan elected as first Muslim member of CT House". NewsTimes. Retrieved 2022-03-31.