Who's running in Connecticut's 2nd congressional district
2 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
2 candidates · ballot order · Joe Courtney currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Regaining a Democratic House majority as a check on the Trump administration.
Lowering energy costs and the cost of living.
Opposing the SAVE Act, which he says threatens voting rights.
Protecting Medicare; he clashed with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over state Medicare flexibility.
Submarine and defence shipbuilding work in eastern Connecticut, and collective bargaining for shipyard workers.
A federal mold standard for public housing.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Representative for Connecticut's 2nd District since January 2007; reelected with 57.1% in 2024.
Endorsed at the 2026 Democratic convention with 322 of 356 delegates; no primary.
Endorsed by the National Education Association and Planned Parenthood Action Fund, per Wikipedia.
Arguments in favor
Courtney 'does not wait, he acts,' and 'shows up for working people not just during the election season, but every single day.'
— State Sen. Martha Marx, nominating remarks reported by CT News Junkie
His support for collective bargaining helped shipyard workers win a 21.4% wage increase in recent years that has 'gone a long way.'
— Peter Baker, Metal Trades Council, reported by CT News Junkie
Arguments against
'Joe Courtney didn't go into that hearing intending to fix anything. He went in to play a part — another long-time Washington politician wagging his finger at Secretary Kennedy so he could get a clip on cable news, while families in eastern Connecticut are crushed by the costs of the system he helped build.'
— George Austin, Republican opponent, campaign press release
What we couldn’t verify
Whether debates will be held had not been reported.
Lowering costs by tackling inflation, energy bills, taxes and mandates.
Trade education, apprenticeships and technical programmes linked to manufacturers such as Electric Boat and Pratt & Whitney.
The 'Make America Healthy Again' agenda: addressing chronic disease, ultra-processed food and environmental toxins.
Protecting Medicare for current seniors by improving health and solvency rather than adding 'unfunded promises'.
Opposing abortion ('protect life'); member of the NRA and the Connecticut Citizens Defense League.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Construction company owner; member of the Home Builders & Remodelers Association and the National Federation of Independent Business.
Has not held elected office.
Endorsed by the Connecticut Republican Party and the Eastern Connecticut State University College Republicans.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Austin could be found, so no arguments are listed for him (his campaign's case is in his positions). Searched: 'George Austin Courtney campaign response', Connecticut Democratic Party statements, Ballotpedia, and The Chronicle, WTNH and New Britain Herald coverage.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
November 3, 2026 is Connecticut's general election, decided by plurality; there is no runoff. Party primaries were held August 11, 2026. The congressional map did not change for 2026: the districts adopted by the Connecticut Supreme Court from a special master's plan in February 2022 remain in use, and no 2026 redraw or pending congressional map litigation was found. Connecticut allows cross-endorsement, so a candidate can appear on more than one party's line. As of September 14, 2026, the Secretary of the State had not published a certified list of November candidates that could be loaded, so the Democratic and Republican nominees here are confirmed from party endorsements and primary coverage, and minor-party and petition candidates could not be confirmed. Two major-party nominees: Democratic incumbent Joe Courtney, endorsed at the May 11 convention with 322 of 356 delegates after challenger Kyle Gauck fell short of the 15% needed to force a primary, and Republican George Austin, the party-endorsed candidate. No primary was held in either party. No minor-party or petition candidate for this district was found in coverage. The district covers eastern Connecticut, including all of New London, Tolland and Windham counties and parts of Hartford, Middlesex and New Haven counties. Courtney won 57.1% in 2024.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Connecticut ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at Connecticut Secretary of the State.