Republicans are gearing up to finalize their candidates for Congress in Connecticut, a state that hasn’t sent a Republican to Washington in almost 20 years.
The primary on Tuesday is set, with Democratic Rep. Jahana Hayes seeking her fourth term against Republican George Logan, a former state senator. Logan narrowly lost to Hayes in 2022 by about 2,000 votes out of a quarter million cast.
Republicans are also selecting candidates for two other races against longtime Democratic representatives: Sen. Chris Murphy and Rep. Jim Himes.
In the Senate race, Gerry Smith, a top official in Beacon Falls, faces Matt Corey, a restaurant owner from Glastonbury. Both believe Murphy can be defeated, though they acknowledge the challenge. Connecticut hasn’t elected a Republican to the Senate since 1982.
Corey, who lost to Murphy by 20 points in 2018, thinks Republicans have an advantage in 2024 due to voter frustration with high energy costs and inflation.
“We live in a tough state,” Corey said, noting Connecticut’s history of electing Democrats. “We have to show voters that Democratic policies aren’t working for them.”
Smith argues he’s the stronger candidate because of his experience running a community and his success in local elections. “I beat a 14-year Democrat incumbent in my first race. I can win this one,” Smith posted on social media.
Murphy, running for a third term, leads in fundraising with $9.7 million as of June 30. In comparison, Smith had $4,245 and Corey had nearly $32,000 as of July 24.
In the 4th Congressional District, Republicans are choosing between Bob MacGuffie, a financial executive and former tea party leader, and Dr. Michael Goldstein, who lost a primary in this district two years ago. Himes, seeking his ninth term, has $2.3 million in cash on hand compared to $42,750 for MacGuffie and $98,366 for Goldstein as of July 24.
Although Republicans held three of Connecticut’s five House seats as recently as 2007, there hasn’t been a Republican in the state’s congressional delegation since Himes succeeded former Rep. Chris Shays in 2009.