Gary Franks

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Gary Franks
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Connecticut's 5th district
In office January 3, 1991 – January 3, 1997
Preceded by	John G. Rowland
Succeeded by	James H. Maloney
Personal details
Born	Gary Alvin Franks (1953-02-09) February 9, 1953 (age 71) Waterbury, Connecticut, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Donna Williams
Children	3
Education	Yale University (BA)

Gary Alvin Franks (born February 9, 1953) is an American politician who was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Connecticut for six years, from 1991 until 1997. He is the first African-American elected to the U.S. Congress from Connecticut, the first modern black conservative elected to the House of Representatives, and the first black Republican elected since Oscar De Priest's election in 1932. Franks ran for the United States Senate in 1998, losing to incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Chris Dodd.