Goldstein seeks GOP primary against Stevenson
Winner to challenge Himes for 4th District
STAMFORD — Though Republicans overwhelmingly backed former Darien first selectman Jayme Stevenson at a recent nominating convention, Michael Goldstein isn’t giving up on his bid to be the GOP candidate who faces off against incumbent U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., this November.
With 156 votes, Stevenson secured the endorsement of Republicans last week during a convention at Fairfield University, according to a release from her campaign. Goldstein, a doctor and lawyer who lives in Greenwich, received 18 votes — which was not enough to make him eligible for a primary.
Goldstein said he will instead seek signatures from Republican voters to force a primary. He needs to collect about 2,000 signatures — the equivalent of 2 percent of the total number of registered Republicans in the 4th District — by June 7. The primary election would take place Aug. 9.
In a release, Goldstein claimed that he has the “best chance” of toppling Himes.
“I know that I am the best candidate to defeat Jim Himes given my medical, legal and professional experience, which is needed in Washington now more than ever,” he said.
After receiving the endorsement last Thursday, Stevenson said Republicans needed to unite to “wrest the reins of power from the hands of progressive elites like Jim Himes and give it back to the people where it belongs,” according to a release.
Stevenson led Darien’s Board of Selectmen for a decade. She didn’t seek reelection to the post last year.
Himes received the nod from Democrats at their convention Monday evening at Brien McMahon High School in Norwalk. He had no challengers.
“I look forward to fighting every day to support our families and small businesses, to championing legislation that protects a woman’s right to choose, to improving infrastructure and making southwest Connecticut the very best place it can be,” Himes said in a statement.
Himes was first elected in 2008, ousting Republican Chris Shays. A Greenwich resident, Himes announced that he would seek another term last month.
The 4th District spans Greenwich to Bridgeport and as far north as Oxford.