Jonathan De Barros is a community leader, youth mentor, and lifelong Connecticut resident running to represent the people of the 5th United States Congressional District. The district spans northwestern and central Connecticut, encompassing cities and towns such as Danbury, Meriden, the Farmington and Naugatuck Valleys, Litchfield County, and Jonathan’s hometown of Waterbury.

As the founder of the Phoenix Youth Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit launched in 2018, Jonathan has dedicated himself to mentoring at-risk youth and encouraging vocational training and conflict resolution education to young people in Waterbury. His mission is rooted in personal experience and a deep commitment to giving others the support he needed as a teen.

Growing up in Waterbury during the height of the crack cocaine epidemic and gang violence, Jonathan faced a life-altering tragedy. As a teenager, he was attacked by multiple gang members on a basketball court—one of whom was armed with a loaded firearm. Forced to act in self-defense, Jonathan was initially arrested and wrongfully charged in the incident. A Democrat-appointed District Attorney withheld crucial evidence—specifically, that the deceased assailant’s firearm was in police custody. After years of wrongful incarceration, his conviction was unanimously overturned by a three-judge panel in the Court of Appeals, which determined that the suppressed evidence would have significantly supported his self-defense claim. Jonathan was later granted a full pardon by Governor Ned Lamont and the State of Connecticut.

During his incarceration, Jonathan turned to education and self-improvement. He became a dedicated student of history, philosophy, religion, and political thought—reading works such as Plato’s Republic, The Essentials of Marcus Aurelius, Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington, and writings by Thomas Sowell. Upon release, he earned certification as an Electrical Technician from IMTI in Waterbury and went on to work for the State and local municipalities, maintaining highway lighting and traffic signal systems.

Today, Jonathan lives in Plymouth, Connecticut, with his wife, Alyssa De Barros, a registered nurse with a master’s degree. The De Barroses are proud Republican homeowners active in their local RTC. In 2016, they suffered the heartbreaking loss of their unborn son, a tragedy that deepened their commitment to pro-life advocacy and strengthened their Christian faith. They are active members of Calvary Life Church in Cheshire and hold deep respect for law enforcement and the U.S. Military, with family members who have served or are currently serving.

Jonathan is passionate about restoring the Republican values championed by Frederick Douglass—faith, family, personal responsibility, and economic empowerment—to Black and Latino communities. He believes in returning to the principles of President Abraham Lincoln and working alongside fellow Connecticut Republicans to restore the constitutional values of the American Republic in the Constitution State.