2026
Gadkar-Wilcox, Sujata
22nd District (D)
Deputy Senate Majority Leader
Towns Represented
Bridgeport (p), Monroe (p), Trumbull
Committees
Government Oversight (Chair); Regulation Review (Chair); Select Committee on Special Education (Chair); Higher Education and Employment Advancement (Vice Chair); Judiciary (Vice Chair); Education; General Law; Internship; Transportation
Voting Record
| Year | Vote Name | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 |
Fair Termination & Teacher Protections
HB 5003
Favorable vote indicates support for teacher protection legislation that included fair termination, workers compensation protections, and more. |
|
| 2026 |
FOI Protections
SB 325
Favorable vote indicates support for protecting educators' personal information in FOI requests. |
|
| 2026 |
FOI Protections in the Government Oversight Committee
SB 325
Favorable vote indicates support in the Government Oversight Committee for protecting educators' personal information in FOI requests. |
|
| 2026 |
Cell Phones in Schools in the Education Committee
HB 5035
Favorable vote indicates support in the Education Committee for establishing a statewide bell-to-bell ban on cell phones in schools. |
|
| 2026 |
Cell Phones in Schools in the Education Committee
HB 5149
Favorable vote indicates support in the Education Committee for establishing a statewide bell-to-bell ban on cell phones in schools. |
|
| 2026 |
Paid Student Teaching
HB 5216
Favorable vote indicates support in the Education Committee for universal paid student teaching. |
|
| 2026 |
Graduate Student Loans in the Higher Education Committee
SB 8
Favorable vote indicates support in the Higher Education Committee for the establishment of the CT Supplemental Graduate Student Loan Program for educators and other impacted professions. |
|
| 2026 |
2026 Budget
SB 1
Favorable vote indicates support for the 2026 Budget which included nearly $200 million in district relief plus free school breakfast, universal pre-k, and special education grants. |
|
| 2026 |
Universal School Breakfast
HB 5214
Favorable vote indicates support in the Education Committee for universal school breakfast and the expansion of free school lunches. |
|
| 2026 |
Aspiring Educator Scholarship Expansion
SB 221
Favorable vote indicates support in the Education Committee for expanding eligibility for the Aspiring Educators Scholarship Program. |
|
| 2026 |
Student Literacy & Aspiring Educators Scholarship Expansion
SB 220
Favorable vote indicates support for expanding eligibility for the Aspiring Educators Scholarship Program and requiring Dept. of Education guidance on student literacy. |
|
| 2026 |
Teacher Certification
HB 5323
Favorable vote indicates support for a necessary extension to address teacher certification regulations in CT. |
|
| 2026 |
Physical Education Credit Exemption
SB 222
Favorable vote indicates opposition to exempting student-athletes from physical education requirements, which may undermine the value of P.E. and its educators. |
|
| 2026 |
Physical Education Credit Exemption in the Education Committee
SB 222
Favorable vote indicates opposition in the Education Committee to exempting student-athletes from physical education requirements, which may undermine the value of P.E. and its educators. |
|
| 2025 |
Fair Dismissal/"Just Cause"
SB 1371
Favorable vote indicates support for establishing a "just cause" legal standard and binding arbitration to ensure fairness and due process during teacher termination proceedings. |
|
| 2025 |
Educator Salary Enhancement
SB 1459
Favorable vote indicates support in the Education Committee for establishing a minimum educator salary and providing grants to districts to raise educator pay. |
|
| 2025 |
State-Wide Assesments
HB 7011
Favorable vote indicates support in the Education Committee for reducing the frequency of state-wide standardized testing. |
|
| 2025 |
Aspiring Educators
SB 1513
Favorable vote indicates support for expanding aspiring educator scholarships, certification alternative assessments, & more. |
|
| 2025 |
Aspiring Educators
SB 1513
Favorable vote indicates support in the Education Committee for expanding aspiring educator scholarships, certification alternative assessments, & more. |
|
| 2025 |
Educator Personal Information Protections
SB 1209
Favorable vote indicates support in the Government Oversight Committee for protecting educators' personal information from FOI requests. |
|
| 2025 |
2025 Budget
HB 7287
Favorable vote indicates support for increased ECS funding that holds towns harmless, expands special education funding, procedures for book challenges in public and school libraries, & more. However, this bill also temporarily reduces the state's Teachers Retirement Board (TRB) Health Contribution for 1 year. |
|
| 2025 |
Special Education
HB 5001
Favorable vote indicates support for expanding special education grants and strengthening special education policies in Connecticut. |
|
| 2025 |
Universal Pre-K, Special Education & More
SB 1
Favorable vote indicates support for multiple initiatives, including the establishment of a universal pre-K endowment, special education enhancement grants, outlining IEP support staff, local budget transparency reporting & more. |
|
| 2025 |
IAQ Enhancement
HB 7288
Favorable vote indicates support for enhancements to programs aimed at improving indoor air quality in schools. |
|
| 2025 |
Freedom to Read
HB 7014
Favorable vote indicates support in the Education Committee for requiring procedures for book challenges in school libraries. |
|
| 2025 |
Teacher Recruitment & Retention
HB 7168
Favorable vote indicates support in the Education Committee for enhancing scholarships and tuition assistance programs for aspiring educators. |
|
| 2025 |
Civics Seal
HB 7009
Favorable vote indicates support in the Education Committee for the development of a Civics Seal for diplomas. |
|
| 2025 |
Classroom Behavior Task Force Amendment
LCO 8797 SB 1371
Favorable vote indicates support for a Senate procedural amendment to CEA's Fair Dismissal/"Just Cause" legislation that would have established a task force to study classroom behavior and school discipline. |

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