David Pudlin, Former Legislative and Labor Leader, Passes Away

Former New Britain State Representative David Pudlin (D-24), who served as the Majority Leader of the State House of Representatives and Vice President for Organizing of the New England Health Care Employees Union, District 1199, passed away on Friday, March 19, 2021, after having served a life of service, fighting for and winning on labor rights and progressive policies.

Rep. Pudlin’s son, Sam Pudlin, shared the sad news on Friday, saying in a open comment that,

My father, the Hon. David B. Pudlin, died earlier today. As Vice President for Organizing he helped grow 1199 into the largest union local in the world by membership, and then raised Connecticut’s minimum wage by 66% as House Majority Leader of the General Assembly. He would not have wanted to be summarized with any metric other than the latter.

Rep. Pudlin was first elected as the State Representative for the Twenty-Fourth Assembly District, then entirely in New Britain, in 1988. He represented the district until 2003.

Gov. Ned Lamont honored Rep. Pudlin, saying,

David Pudlin was an extraordinary person who deeply cared for the people of his hometown of New Britain, as well as a devoted advocate on behalf of all Connecticut working men, women, and their families. He was a committed voice for justice, dignity, and equality. I appreciate his loyalty and friendship throughout the years, and he will be missed.

From 1999 until 2003, Rep. Pudlin was the Majority Leader of the State House of Representatives, one of the recognized top-six key legislative leaders in the state. Prior to that, he was the head of the House Democrats’ political organization, widely seen as building it into a electoral powerhouse, capable of increasing Democratic majorities, even in tough elections for Democrats.

Ethan Rome, who worked for the House Democrats’ under Rep. Pudlin’s leadership called him, “a wonderful mentor and partner in politics. He was a brilliant organizer. And a sensational cook. Naturally, we first met on an 1199 picket line when I was at CCAG,” referring to the Connecticut Citizen Action Group.

He was viewed, in New Britain and statewide, as a top progressive leader, keeping to the values he championed at the District 1199 labor union, where he was a key leader.

“David was certainly one of the best organizers of his generation and many of us in the labor movement will be forever grateful for his contributions,” said labor activist and longtime friend, Libby Devlin, “The world is a better place because he was here and a lesser place without him.”

Sam Pudlin’s announcement, brought an outpouring of condolences for him, his brother, Jacob Pudlin, and their family, as well as tributes to their father’s life work and accomplishments.

State Senator Rick Lopes said that, “This is a big loss for the New Britain community. He was a mentor for so many of us. Unique does not do him justice.”

Democratic Party Vice-Chair and NAACP President Ronald P. Davis called Rep. Pudlin, “a great honorable Statesman.”

The New Britain Democratic Party issued a statement that said,

Pudlin, a prominent and respected leader of New Britain’s Labor-Democratic Party coalition over the last 30 years, brought his skills as an organizer for District 1199, the New England Health Care Employees Union, to city politics and the legislature. Following his legislative career David continued to mentor and work for progressive causes and candidates who would follow him to local and state elected offices. For Pudlin politics was a labor of love and kind of a family business. His parents, Attorney Alvin Pudlin and Rose Pudlin, were progressive Democratic leaders in the city in the 1960s. To his many friends David was shrewd, fun-loving, generous and principled. He was proud to represent and be a citizen of New Britain.

New Britain Democrats mourn his loss and extend sympathies to his sons, Jacob and Sam, his brother Bennett, and all the members of the Pudlin family.

Ald. Aram Ayalon commented to Sam Pudlin, “that David spoke Hebrew and the first time my wife and I were invited to your house we had a fluent Hebrew conversation!! David was passionate as many of us who are committed to social justice and to economic justice. This past year we lost many loved ones and many old time Democrats right here in New Britain. We are left with a vacuum and with agony.”

John McNamara said, “Fortunate to be part of so many campaigns with David, the most progressive and savvy legislator to have served the 24th District and a mentor to many. As long as those we have lost are talked about and remembered, they will live on. David will always be talked about and remembered.”

Former Mayor Lucian Pawlak said that Rep. Pudlin, “did many good things for many people because it was the right thing to do.”

Bob Fishman, Executive Director of the Connecticut Immigrant & Refugee Coalition said, “I’ll never forget his hosting the first Purim reading and party at the Capitol. What a great sense of humor and a real Mensch. May he Rest In Peace.”

“The end of an era,” said former Democratic Party Chair Bill Shortell, “He was powerful, unique, and a friend to the oppressed. He and I were as close as brothers for years.”

Former Secretary of the State Miles Rapoport said that Rep. Pudlin, “was an incredible and multi-faceted person— a brilliant strategist, a fierce fighter, a skilled legislator, a totally committed organizer, and at the same time a tender, funny, and deeply loyal friend.”

Tom Swan, longtime head of CCAG said that Rep. Pudlin, “played such an important role in making Connecticut a more just place to live. He made me a better person and a better organizer.”

Former State Rep. Juan A. Figueroa (D-3) said Rep. Pudlin, “leaves a huge legacy in the world of progressive politics in Connecticut and beyond. I will always cherish the memories of working together as freshman legislators. He lives in my heart.”

Editor’s note (3/20/2021): The article was updated to include a statement from the New Britain Democratic Party.

Editor’s note (3/21/2021): The article was updated to include a quote from former Mayor Lucian Pawlak.