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100,000 First Bosses: My Unlikely Path as a 22-Year-Old Lawmaker
The underdog story of Will Haskell, who became a Democratic state Senator in 2018 at age twenty-two—taking on an incumbent who had been undefeated for Haskell’s entire life and earning an endorsement from President Obama—and is determined to pave the way for his peers to transform government from the bottom up.
President Obama left office with these parting words for “If you’re disappointed by your elected officials, grab a clipboard, get some signatures, and run for office yourself.” Twenty-two-year-old Will Haskell decided to do just that. If he ran for office and won, he would become the youngest state Senator in Connecticut history.
For years, Haskell’s hometown had reelected the same politician who opposed passing paid family leave, fought increases in the minimum wage, and voted down expansions of voting rights. Haskell’s own vision for Connecticut’s future couldn’t be more different, and he couldn’t stand the idea of an uncontested election. In 2018, he would be a college grad looking for his first job. Why not state Senator?
When Haskell kicks off his campaign in the spring of his senior year, he’s an unknown college kid facing a popular incumbent who’s been in office for over two decades—as long as Haskell’s been alive. Haskell’s campaign manager is his roommate and his treasurer is his girlfriend’s mom. He doesn’t have any professional experience. But he does have a powerful there’s no minimum age to being on the right side of history.
Six months later, Haskell’s shocking upset victory gives him a historic seat in the state Senate and the responsibility to serve the 100,000 constituents in his district. Like any first job, his first term as a legislator is filled with trial and error. Creating a program that funds free tuition at Connecticut’s community colleges—nice work. Falling asleep on the senate floor—needs improvement.
In the tradition of Pete Buttigieg’s Shortest Way Home and Greta Thunberg’s No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference , 100,000 First Bosses is the story of how one twentysomething candidate waged the campaign of his young life, fought for change at the state capitol, and proved that his generation is ready to claim a seat at the table.
President Obama left office with these parting words for “If you’re disappointed by your elected officials, grab a clipboard, get some signatures, and run for office yourself.” Twenty-two-year-old Will Haskell decided to do just that. If he ran for office and won, he would become the youngest state Senator in Connecticut history.
For years, Haskell’s hometown had reelected the same politician who opposed passing paid family leave, fought increases in the minimum wage, and voted down expansions of voting rights. Haskell’s own vision for Connecticut’s future couldn’t be more different, and he couldn’t stand the idea of an uncontested election. In 2018, he would be a college grad looking for his first job. Why not state Senator?
When Haskell kicks off his campaign in the spring of his senior year, he’s an unknown college kid facing a popular incumbent who’s been in office for over two decades—as long as Haskell’s been alive. Haskell’s campaign manager is his roommate and his treasurer is his girlfriend’s mom. He doesn’t have any professional experience. But he does have a powerful there’s no minimum age to being on the right side of history.
Six months later, Haskell’s shocking upset victory gives him a historic seat in the state Senate and the responsibility to serve the 100,000 constituents in his district. Like any first job, his first term as a legislator is filled with trial and error. Creating a program that funds free tuition at Connecticut’s community colleges—nice work. Falling asleep on the senate floor—needs improvement.
In the tradition of Pete Buttigieg’s Shortest Way Home and Greta Thunberg’s No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference , 100,000 First Bosses is the story of how one twentysomething candidate waged the campaign of his young life, fought for change at the state capitol, and proved that his generation is ready to claim a seat at the table.
240 pages, Hardcover
Published January 18, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
December 31, 2021
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Will Haskell, Avid Reader Press, and Simon & Schuster for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
Always a sucker for a unique political memoir, this book by Will Haskell caught my attention from the title alone. After the election of Donald Trump, Will Haskell, a university senior, knew he wanted to help change the system. He turned to what he knew best, his home state of Connecticut, and began a journey to unseat a long-time state senator. His hope was to show that young people (all of 22 at the time) do care and could make a difference. This memoir is his way of showing how change can come from an idea and short time in office. A great piece and easy to digest, showings that grassroots change is possible with enough passion!
While Will Haskell had always been around politics, he did not give it much thought. He knew that the winds of change were coming, but could not foresee the hurricane of Trump or the destruction that it would bring to America. While still in university at Georgetown, Haskell thought back to some of the comments made by President Obama before he left office and how change would only come by doing something. Cue the interest in being a part of that change.
Discovering that there was a state senate election on the horizon back home in Connecticut, Haskell began bandying around the idea of running for the Democrats to unseat a long-time Republican. Of note, this was a politician who began her service before Haskell was born. It would be monumental, but it was something that Haskell knew would evoke the change he sought. Armed with a small purse and a great deal of gumption, Haskell began making waves and shaking hands, receiving some harsh and sobering advice along the way. However, he did not let it deter him, as his campaign got off the ground and his ideas became key coffee chat topics around his district.
While winning on Election Day was grand, it was only the beginning of a steep learning curve. Haskell recounts some of the major stumbling blocks facing him when he arrived in Hartford, the state capital, as well as how business in the statehouse made for messy work representing constituents. Haskell informs the reader throughout of the struggles to have a voice, get ideas on paper, and push them through to the governor’s desk, even with a majority of Democrats at the helm. He explores the great difference between wanting change and making it happen, while juggling budgets, constant requests, and the shadow of the Federal Government. Through it all, he pushes that idealism is the fuel for change and that anyone, no matter their age, can make a difference if they want it badly enough.
While I have long held a passion for politics, I appreciate my sidelines position. Will Haskell explores some of the great grassroots aspects to politics and how one voice can and will make a difference, given the chance. His writing is real and yet not sloppy, giving the reader a great narrative as they follow along through this unique journey for all to see. I loved the honesty that each chapter brought, as well as the brevity, helping me push through the memoir with ease. There are great themes that emerge throughout, even as politics has taken a dark turn for many over the last number of years. Haskell provides hope for young people who feel they want to make a difference without getting too preachy. I will have to keep my eye out to see how things go for Haskell, as he makes politics intriguing and shows that passion can fuel action, given the right push!
Kudos, Mr. Haskell, for a great political memoir. You show that grassroots need not be a bad thing and that passion is no longer a pipe dream to success!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Always a sucker for a unique political memoir, this book by Will Haskell caught my attention from the title alone. After the election of Donald Trump, Will Haskell, a university senior, knew he wanted to help change the system. He turned to what he knew best, his home state of Connecticut, and began a journey to unseat a long-time state senator. His hope was to show that young people (all of 22 at the time) do care and could make a difference. This memoir is his way of showing how change can come from an idea and short time in office. A great piece and easy to digest, showings that grassroots change is possible with enough passion!
While Will Haskell had always been around politics, he did not give it much thought. He knew that the winds of change were coming, but could not foresee the hurricane of Trump or the destruction that it would bring to America. While still in university at Georgetown, Haskell thought back to some of the comments made by President Obama before he left office and how change would only come by doing something. Cue the interest in being a part of that change.
Discovering that there was a state senate election on the horizon back home in Connecticut, Haskell began bandying around the idea of running for the Democrats to unseat a long-time Republican. Of note, this was a politician who began her service before Haskell was born. It would be monumental, but it was something that Haskell knew would evoke the change he sought. Armed with a small purse and a great deal of gumption, Haskell began making waves and shaking hands, receiving some harsh and sobering advice along the way. However, he did not let it deter him, as his campaign got off the ground and his ideas became key coffee chat topics around his district.
While winning on Election Day was grand, it was only the beginning of a steep learning curve. Haskell recounts some of the major stumbling blocks facing him when he arrived in Hartford, the state capital, as well as how business in the statehouse made for messy work representing constituents. Haskell informs the reader throughout of the struggles to have a voice, get ideas on paper, and push them through to the governor’s desk, even with a majority of Democrats at the helm. He explores the great difference between wanting change and making it happen, while juggling budgets, constant requests, and the shadow of the Federal Government. Through it all, he pushes that idealism is the fuel for change and that anyone, no matter their age, can make a difference if they want it badly enough.
While I have long held a passion for politics, I appreciate my sidelines position. Will Haskell explores some of the great grassroots aspects to politics and how one voice can and will make a difference, given the chance. His writing is real and yet not sloppy, giving the reader a great narrative as they follow along through this unique journey for all to see. I loved the honesty that each chapter brought, as well as the brevity, helping me push through the memoir with ease. There are great themes that emerge throughout, even as politics has taken a dark turn for many over the last number of years. Haskell provides hope for young people who feel they want to make a difference without getting too preachy. I will have to keep my eye out to see how things go for Haskell, as he makes politics intriguing and shows that passion can fuel action, given the right push!
Kudos, Mr. Haskell, for a great political memoir. You show that grassroots need not be a bad thing and that passion is no longer a pipe dream to success!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
January 8, 2022
**ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review**
Author's achievements are definitely awe-inspiring. He not only became a State Senator at age 22 - now he is also a published author. So when I found a giveaway of this book I entered it almost immediately hoping for a motivational story that will help me start 2022 in high spirits.
The first 50 pages were a real struggle and I was fighting to get engaged with the story. Starting with a grand manifesto it quickly moves to a briefing on author's background and like any briefing it carries a lot of information but not enough emotion so I found myself not really caring and promptly forgetting all the names author was mentioning. Fortunately after around 50 pages everything relaxes a bit and the story that ensues is nicely balanced and pretty satisfactory. There are trials and tribulations, funny moments, couple interesting dilemmas and some personal growth. Unfortunately there is also quite a lot jumping on the timeline which I personally do not appreciate.
Overall it's a solid book but also a bit too lukewarm to make a lasting impression on me. Gen Z will probably resonate stronger with the message.
I feel like a disclaimer is in place: I am a very apolitical person and I don't have a right to vote in the US so the whole narration of "Democrats=good guys/Republicans=bad guys" is not affecting my rating in any way. However it's seems to be a book purely for Democrats so have that in mind if you consider reading it.
Finally: Your accomplishments are truly remarkable Mr. Haskell - chapeau bas!
Author's achievements are definitely awe-inspiring. He not only became a State Senator at age 22 - now he is also a published author. So when I found a giveaway of this book I entered it almost immediately hoping for a motivational story that will help me start 2022 in high spirits.
The first 50 pages were a real struggle and I was fighting to get engaged with the story. Starting with a grand manifesto it quickly moves to a briefing on author's background and like any briefing it carries a lot of information but not enough emotion so I found myself not really caring and promptly forgetting all the names author was mentioning. Fortunately after around 50 pages everything relaxes a bit and the story that ensues is nicely balanced and pretty satisfactory. There are trials and tribulations, funny moments, couple interesting dilemmas and some personal growth. Unfortunately there is also quite a lot jumping on the timeline which I personally do not appreciate.
Overall it's a solid book but also a bit too lukewarm to make a lasting impression on me. Gen Z will probably resonate stronger with the message.
I feel like a disclaimer is in place: I am a very apolitical person and I don't have a right to vote in the US so the whole narration of "Democrats=good guys/Republicans=bad guys" is not affecting my rating in any way. However it's seems to be a book purely for Democrats so have that in mind if you consider reading it.
Finally: Your accomplishments are truly remarkable Mr. Haskell - chapeau bas!
May 17, 2022
Well-earned five stars for this memoir about a young man running for a state senate seat and winning. Sounds pretty dry, but Will Haskell's story is an unusual one, far from dry. At the age of twenty-one, as a college senior, Will decides he is going to run for the Connecticut State Senate. The story of how he pulls together a campaign and works his tail off to meet people and win votes is fascinating and entertaining, but it is only the beginning.
The next step is when Will wins handily (an unlikely win against an incumbent senator who has been in office longer than Will has been alive) and steps into the job with a mixture of enthusiasm and awe. He learns a great deal and accomplishes a lot (though not as much as he'd wished) for his constituents.
But a primary theme of the book is Will's encouragement for young people, millennials and Gen-Z's, to get involved in politics, to learn how the system works and how the right policies can improve people's lives. He urges them to vote, to establish a line of communication with their elected leaders, and then to run for office if they are so inclined.
Highly recommended, especially to young people interested in politics, but also to anyone who wants a better understanding of their state legislative bodies.
The next step is when Will wins handily (an unlikely win against an incumbent senator who has been in office longer than Will has been alive) and steps into the job with a mixture of enthusiasm and awe. He learns a great deal and accomplishes a lot (though not as much as he'd wished) for his constituents.
But a primary theme of the book is Will's encouragement for young people, millennials and Gen-Z's, to get involved in politics, to learn how the system works and how the right policies can improve people's lives. He urges them to vote, to establish a line of communication with their elected leaders, and then to run for office if they are so inclined.
Highly recommended, especially to young people interested in politics, but also to anyone who wants a better understanding of their state legislative bodies.
January 17, 2022
I know Will from the campaign, so when I heard he was writing this book I thought "how nice, a campaign book". I found myself absorbed from the very beginning- not only is his journey a great story, it lends hope to all of us who have worked and volunteered in the political theater for a lifetime- that there is hope for the future. I am relieved that there is drive and a sense of mission in a generation that I assumed was tuned out. Great story Will. I am happy to pass the baton to you and those who care so much. Also, you know how to write and your book was a lot of fun to read- and incredibly informative!
Keep it together and you will make a great President some day.
Keep it together and you will make a great President some day.
April 28, 2023
What a fantastic and optimistic story for both young people wanting to make a difference, as well as the more senior among us who have grown more cynical with each passing election. I loved learning about the ins and outs of running a local campaign and what Connecticut legislators do on a daily basis. As a resident of Fairfield County, CT (although not in Will's district), it was interesting to get his perspective on many of the politicians in our state and helped to already have a basis of knowledge about the people he mentions.
March 21, 2022
Was gifted this. Enjoyable! Particularly for me, since his district is where I grew up (which counts for at least a star in my review). Didn't learn much I didn't already know here but many might. A good intro to running for office as a young person. Makes one nostalgic for the 2018 midterms.
December 28, 2021
A great read for young people who feel like they can't do anything about politics. Haskell emphasizes the importance of contacting your local representatives and shares his story becoming the youngest state senator. Very well written and compelling. A great memoir.
May 30, 2022
An optimistic, humorous and honest telling by a 22-year-old college graduate who was elected to the State Senate from Connecticut's 26th district in 2018. Will Haskell stepped up when no one else wanted to challenge the Republican state senator who had been in office since Haskell was born. Even his own Democratic party didn't think he could win. Youthful optimism and relentless hard work make a powerful combination that permeates the book. Haskell says he wrote it to inspire young people to get involved and to show that it's possible to make change, one little bit at a time. His bloopers and his successes make for almost unputdownable reading. Highly recommend it; no matter what your age, it will inspire you. A timely read for the 2022 midterms.
November 8, 2024
Had to read for a class but its going to count towards my yearly challenge!
Actually pretty decent book and inspiring in the aftermath of this weeks election results.
Actually pretty decent book and inspiring in the aftermath of this weeks election results.
July 15, 2023
A quick listen narrated by the author that gives hope during dark political times. A lot of fun to hear him mention familiar spots and people around Fairfield County, also! Will definitely recommend to my students!
November 16, 2021
In Will Haskell's memoir 100,000 FIRST BOSSES, President Obama suggested that if anyone wants to make a change, one way is to run for office, and Will Haskell takes it to heart during his senior year of college. He cobbles together a team, discovers point of view, and begins his campaign before he graduates college. Haskell shares his struggles and his successes along the way, while also revealing how state level politics are unique in it's power and at times frustrating in its application.
Haskell has such a unique voice that is refreshingly easy and exciting to read. There is an underlying earnestness to his writing style where he is candidly reflecting on his political life so far, while also making it clear that he has so much more to learn. He shares so clearly what it means to him every step of the way and his perspective can't help but make any reader wonder what it would be like if they ran for office. Another component of being a state politician that Haskell describes is the struggle of balancing the desire to serve with the reality of what that means financially and personally. At the end of the book, the reader is left to consider the fortitude and care it takes to hold public office on a small scale and makes one wonder what kind of special person it takes to want to do such a challenging and often thankless job.
Haskell is instantly likeable and a reader can't help but cheer for him every step of the way in 100,000 FIRST BOSSES. The book is pleasantly fast-paced, much like Haskell's political career seems to be and anyone who reads the book will be entertained and enlightened to the world of small scale politics.
Thank you to Avid Reader Press/Simon & Schuster, Will Haskell, and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Haskell has such a unique voice that is refreshingly easy and exciting to read. There is an underlying earnestness to his writing style where he is candidly reflecting on his political life so far, while also making it clear that he has so much more to learn. He shares so clearly what it means to him every step of the way and his perspective can't help but make any reader wonder what it would be like if they ran for office. Another component of being a state politician that Haskell describes is the struggle of balancing the desire to serve with the reality of what that means financially and personally. At the end of the book, the reader is left to consider the fortitude and care it takes to hold public office on a small scale and makes one wonder what kind of special person it takes to want to do such a challenging and often thankless job.
Haskell is instantly likeable and a reader can't help but cheer for him every step of the way in 100,000 FIRST BOSSES. The book is pleasantly fast-paced, much like Haskell's political career seems to be and anyone who reads the book will be entertained and enlightened to the world of small scale politics.
Thank you to Avid Reader Press/Simon & Schuster, Will Haskell, and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Want to read
September 11, 2021Wis Nisker once said "If you don't like the news, go out and make some of your own". This is Will Haskell, Connecticut's 22 yr old State Senator's story of his decision to run, his campaign, and his first year of experience in government. Written articulately and with references to his own personal conflicts with family and friends, he recounts his last year in college and discussions with friends, his piecemeal staff originally composed of friends and colleagues, and his eventual election to office.
He ran against a longtime (Republican) incumbant, and also details her and her Republican opposition to his campaign. Engrossing read, and an inspiration to those younger voters wishing to unseat the Establishment, and make some news of their own.
He ran against a longtime (Republican) incumbant, and also details her and her Republican opposition to his campaign. Engrossing read, and an inspiration to those younger voters wishing to unseat the Establishment, and make some news of their own.
May 29, 2025
a pleasant, easy read that is really more of a memoir and a summary of will haskell’s time running for and serving in the ct state senate than an advertisement for young people to run for office. the writing style isn’t anything all that special, but i appreciate the conversational tone and the way haskell made state government relatively easy to understand. and of course i have a ton of respect for the guy himself, even if the whole thing seems a bit…sanitized. still, i’m definitely glad i read it. shoutout lauren meyer. also i got this 2 years ago bc i won the harvard club of southern connecticut book award at my national honor society induction ceremony junior year.
January 26, 2022
I aplaud Will Haskell for doing what meny young people would like to do but lack the backers or the determination to try .Run for Senator right out of college and WIN!!!!I will be watching the actions of this young man in the future !! Maybe he will one day be the President in the Oval Office ! I encourage the young men and women who want to see Good Change in politics to read this book . Develop a determination to go for their goals and do it!! Maybe they will find themselves making good things to happen in WashingtonDC!!!
January 30, 2022
This book started so nice, his explanation on what drew him to politics, the campaign description was simply amazing. I felt there in their office helping to call the voters.
But once we moved to the daily life as a senator, it got very boring. I don't know if it is because I have quite some knowledge of the process so nothing very new was being told or if it was really more boring than the first part.
Nevertheless, I really enjoyed this book and mainly the courage to run so young.
But once we moved to the daily life as a senator, it got very boring. I don't know if it is because I have quite some knowledge of the process so nothing very new was being told or if it was really more boring than the first part.
Nevertheless, I really enjoyed this book and mainly the courage to run so young.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 7, 2022
Will’s story is inspiring
I enjoyed this book, and I learned from it. Will’s story is inspiring. He writes with humor, humility and passion. This book helped me to understand our state government and our young people, both millennials and Gen Z. The book also helped me to believe that people of different parties can get things done, that compromise is possible, and that both sides — and all of us, can win.
I enjoyed this book, and I learned from it. Will’s story is inspiring. He writes with humor, humility and passion. This book helped me to understand our state government and our young people, both millennials and Gen Z. The book also helped me to believe that people of different parties can get things done, that compromise is possible, and that both sides — and all of us, can win.
April 27, 2022
An entertaining, well written book. The author takes us from the idea of running for state senator in Connecticut through campaigning and election to office. He details the issues dealing with the fact he is only twenty-two years, with no prior political experience. After being elected, he takes us through the complex world of dealing with the making of a bill and satisfying his constitutes. Everything is easy to understand.
June 21, 2022
I really enjoyed this. It was fun to hear about local politics in a state where I lived for a few years, and Haskell's writing had a thoughtfulness about politics that I wasn't expecting since it's a quick read that's fairly narrative driven. I especially appreciated his thoughts about the black and white nature of campaigning versus governing and how to still be a human and have relationships with coworkers who are trying to cause your bills to fail and ultimately hope you'll be unseated.
June 25, 2022
Big thanks for the Goodreads giveaway copy! I found this book to be inspiring. I'm amazed at a young age Will, without experience, found the courage to run. Let alone win, and tackle big debates and issues. The story was a quick and easy read. I found insight on how he debated running, pulled it together, and his first session experience. However, as a reader I was hoping for more. I would recommend this book for inspiration to other's pursing his path.
Amazing work Will 👏
Amazing work Will 👏
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May 20, 2022In 2018, Will Haskell was elected to represent his hometown in the Connecticut State Senate. Just a few months after graduating from college, he and his roommate-turned-campaign manager unseated the incumbent who had been in the legislature for longer than Will had been alive. Their campaign activated an army of young volunteers who were energized by the fight to end gun violence. In the Senate, Will serves as the Chair of the Transportation Committee and the Vice Chair of the Government Administration and Elections Committee.
December 28, 2022
Devoured this book in one day. Will is a great orator and it comes across in this book. While I’m biased as a local to Fairfield county, politics, and having met Will- this book is one I’d recommend time and time again to anyone looking to understand the “what it takes” to seize the moment our country is in.
January 19, 2022
As a young person, I was inspired by Will’s honest storytelling. He shared the good, bad and the ugly about running for state legislature.
February 15, 2022
Really enjoyable memoir with lots of interesting details about the legislative process in particular. Looking for more from this young author and his crew!
Read
March 21, 2022Interesting look inside Haskell’s decision to run and his campaign. Also good information about the inner workings of the CT state government.
June 3, 2022
I know Will and this book epitomizes him - informative and modest with the right amount of humor. I enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoy listening to him speak at local events!
June 22, 2022
It’s a first book and as such is delightful, easy to follow, and I am glad he put this unique experience it on paper for us to share in it. Looking forward to the next one.
Read
December 28, 2024very nice to hear the perspective of a young person in office :’)
April 19, 2025
talked w him for the first time in years about law school and realized i never added this to my goodreads !!! yayyyyy will haskell
March 27, 2022
I loved Will Haskell’s book, starting with him representing Westport CT which is where I lived for 20 years. I was impressed by his work ethic, his clear vision of what his job is and so much more. Thank you Will for your dedication to public service.
Gave to my cousin Walter who has dedicated his life to getting worthy candidates elected.
Gave to my cousin Walter who has dedicated his life to getting worthy candidates elected.
February 18, 2023
he went to georgetown and it was weird to read about places that I knew in this thing
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews