Democrat state Sen. Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox (D-Bridgeport) was one of four elected officials honored by the State Government Affairs Council during an event in Florida.

The award recognizes leadership, dedication to bipartisan problem solving and integrity in public service.

The council is a national association that promotes bipartisanship and ethics in government.

"The way forward is for us to come together through bipartisan collaboration. Making sure that we're standing up for the values that we share, the values that are going to improve society, that are going to make sure that communities are moving forward, are continuing to be vibrant, and that the basic needs of individuals are being met. There's so much more that we agree on than that we disagree on, and I think that's clear when you talk to people in the public," Gadkar-Wilcox said.

Of the four politicians honored, two were democrats and two were republicans. The other three lawmakers were from Alabama, Minnesota and Wisconsin.