New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
In CT congressional races, GOP seeks to regain power
Nationally, the GOP has made Connecticut a larger focus than usual, pouring money into attack ads and opening a community center in New Britain, a Democratic stronghold, to target minority voters.
Connecticut’s congressional races are taking shape as Republicans seek to capitalize on dissatisfaction with President Joe Biden and record-high inflation to regain power in the U.S. House.
For Democrats, Monday night’s congressional conventions were purely ceremonial given all five incumbents are seeking reelection in November. Republicans nominated their slate of U.S. House candidates last week.
Nationally, the GOP has made Connecticut a larger focus than usual, pouring money into attack ads and opening a community center in New Britain, a Democratic stronghold, to target minority voters.
The National Republican Congressional Committee, which works to elect GOP members to the U.S.
House, is spending money in Connecticut and a super PAC linked to House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy “booked just under $2 million in advertising,” said Ben Proto, chair of the state Republican party.
“There’s a lot of displeasure with Joe Biden and Democrats in Congress
in terms of where we’re at with the economy, inflation, the border, parental rights,” Proto said.
Republicans see the races in the 2nd and 5th districts as their best chances for a win in November.
U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney has held the 2nd District seat, located in the eastern part of state, stretching from the shoreline to Tolland and Windham counties, since 2007. Two-term
U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes represents the 5th District in the western half of the state, which spans across parts of Fairfield, Litchfield, New Haven and Hartford counties.
Courtney and Hayes are on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s list of vulnerable incumbents.
State Democratic Party Chair Nancy DiNardo said she’s not worried. She said the Democrats have strong track records to run on and can highlight investments through federal pandemic relief in child care and education, among other areas, and the funding Connecticut will receive through the major infrastructure package passed by Congress.
“That being said, they will run as if they’re losing,” DiNardo said. “They know how important it is not to make any assumptions.”
Here is the list of candidates for each of Connecticut’s five congressional districts:
1st District
Republican Larry Lazor, a Hartford physician, is challenging Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. John Larson.
2nd District
Republican state Rep. Mike France, of Ledyard, is running against Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney.
3rd District
Republican Leslie DiNardis, of Hamden, a former Sacred Heart University professor, is contesting Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro.
4th District
Republican Jayme Stevenson, Darien’s former first selectman, is challenging Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Jim Himes.
5th District
Republican George Logan, a former state senator, is running against Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes.