Who's running in Connecticut's 3rd 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 · Rosa DeLauro 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.
Lowering health care costs by taking on insurance and drug companies.
Paid family and medical leave, equal pay (Paycheck Fairness Act) and an expanded child tax credit.
Reversing Trump administration domestic spending cuts through appropriations, including NIH and job training funding.
Funding the Department of Homeland Security with ICE reforms such as body cameras, judicial warrants and a ban on masked agents, rather than abolishing ICE.
Reasserting Congress's war powers over the Iran war.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Representative since 1991.
Ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee; previously its chair.
Endorsed at the 2026 Democratic convention, 294 votes to 45.
Endorsed by Giffords, NEA, Planned Parenthood Action Fund and Reproductive Freedom for All, per Wikipedia.
Arguments in favor
DeLauro passed the child tax credit and Paycheck Fairness Act, has secured millions in federal funding for the district, and should be 'back as the head of the Appropriations Committee' to counter 'the damage to families from the Trump administration.'
— State Rep. Mary Mushinsky, nominating speech reported by the New Haven Independent
'It's about whether or not you're meeting the needs of the people who put you in... Am I dealing today with the issue that is uppermost on their mind — the cost of living?'
— Rosa DeLauro, responding to criticism of her age on WNHH's Dateline New Haven
Arguments against
At 83, DeLauro is too old to serve in Congress, and it is time for generational change.
— Damjan DeNoble, former Democratic challenger (withdrew in February), as reported by the New Haven Independent
DeLauro is 'still not running' on securing Medicare, education and housing funding, taxing billionaires and ending 'forever wars', and voters want a candidate not 'beholden' to party politics or corporations.
— Andrew Rice, Democratic convention challenger running as an independent, to the New Haven Independent
What we couldn’t verify
Whether Andrew Rice will appear on the November ballot could not be confirmed.
Her campaign website address could not be confirmed.
'America First' priorities — 'not China, not Ukraine, not the United Nations.'
Border security as national security.
Parental rights; barring biological males from girls' locker rooms and women's sports.
Lower taxes, a balanced budget and less federal spending.
Congressional term limits and ending 'the weaponization of our government'.
Supporting gun rights and law enforcement.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Coast Guard veteran; former federal law enforcement officer.
Outside plant (OSP) manager at a fiber network provider; bachelor's degree in emergency management from Post University.
Has not held elected office; unopposed for the Republican nomination.
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 Lancia could be found, so no arguments are listed for him (his campaign's case is in his positions). Searched: 'Christopher Lancia DeLauro criticism or debate', DeLauro campaign and Connecticut Democratic Party statements, Ballotpedia, and WTNH and New Haven Independent 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 Rosa DeLauro, endorsed at the May 11 convention 294–45 over democratic socialist Andrew Rice, and Republican Christopher Lancia, who was unopposed after Rafael Irizarry was eliminated at the convention. No primary was held in either party. Rice, who fell short of petitioning onto the primary ballot, announced an independent run requiring 3,290 signatures by August 5; he did not make the November ballot — his campaign website (riceforct.com) now says he will 'continue this race as a write-in campaign'. As a write-in he is not included here. Politics1 lists attorney Tom Egan as an Independent Party candidate, which also could not be confirmed. The district covers south-central Connecticut including New Haven. DeLauro won 58.9% in 2024; a Republican last won the district in 1981.
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.