Bridgeport Lawmaker Passes Away

BRIDGEPORT, CT — Bridgeport State Rep. Ezequiel Santiago suddenly passed away at the age of 45.

"Please keep Ezequiel's constituents, family and friends in your thoughts. He touched a lot of lives and made Connecticut a better place," said House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz and House Majority Leader Matt Ritter.

Santiago was a member of the House Democrats leadership team and led the Banks Committee. He was the deputy majority whip. He previously served on the Bridgeport City Council. He was also dedicated to working with youth members of the Conservation Corps.

Gov. Ned Lamont ordered state flags to be flown at half-staff to honor Santiago.

“We were terribly saddened to learn this morning of the sudden passing of Representative Ezequiel Santiago, a man who truly loved public service and his hometown of Bridgeport,” Lamont said. “The State of Connecticut has lost an outstanding advocate, and our hearts are broken today as we mourn his loss.

Santiago reportedly died of a heart attack, according to the Connecticut Post.

Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim said there will be a moment of silence at the Margaret Morton Government Center at 4 p.m. Friday.

“My sympathies go out to Ezequiel’s family. He was a dear man who will be missed by all who knew him. All of us in Bridgeport and across the state will feel the loss of his passing,” Ganim said.

Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz extended her condolences to Santiago's family and the Bridgeport community.

“I am profoundly saddened to learn of Rep. Santiago’s passing,” she said. “I have been friends with Ezequiel and his family for more than two decades. Ezequiel was raised in a family that valued public service and he was a fierce advocate, particularly for the families of Bridgeport. Ezequiel possessed a deep knowledge of the challenges that families face and he worked to address these issues in many roles including as a neighborhood activist, city councilor and state representative.