Who's running in Connecticut's 4th 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 · Jim Himes 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.
Defending the security of US elections, including mail-in voting, against claims of fraud he calls 'easily disprovable lies'.
A Democratic House majority as a check on the administration.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Representative for Connecticut's 4th District since 2009; reelected with 61.1% in 2024.
Ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee; member of the 'Gang of Eight'.
Endorsed at the 2026 Democratic convention; had about $2.5 million in campaign cash in August 2026.
Endorsed by Planned Parenthood Action Fund, per Wikipedia.
Arguments in favor
He 'demonstrates a consistent commitment to the rule of law, supports nonpartisan oversight and accountability of the Executive Branch, and upholds the democratic norms' the group requires: 'We're proud to endorse Jim Himes, whose record reflects the seriousness this moment demands.'
— The Steady State (a group of more than 420 former national security officials), endorsement statement by Executive Director Steven Cash
Arguments against
Himes has been 'the public face' of pushing clean reauthorisation of FISA Section 702 and did not close the 'data broker loophole' that lets the government buy Americans' commercially available data without a warrant.
— Joseph Perez-Caputo, Democratic convention challenger running as an independent, in an interview summarised by Banner and Backbone
What we couldn’t verify
No 2026 argument against Himes by Goldstein or the Republican Party could be found; the criticism above comes from a candidate whose ballot status is unconfirmed.
Whether debates will be held had not been reported.
Affordability and lower energy prices, including support for a natural gas pipeline to serve the state.
More competition and choice in health care; opposes 'Medicare for All'.
Relieving I-95 congestion.
Expanding trade schools for 'AI-proof' jobs and requiring colleges to disclose graduates' outcomes and salaries.
Helping small businesses.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Physician and attorney who has led medical societies.
Republican primary candidate in 2022; Republican nominee in 2024.
Won the August 11, 2026 Republican primary over Daniel Miressi with about 74% in early returns.
Had raised about $46,000 in 2026 as of early August, per CT Mirror.
Arguments in favor
'The grocery bill isn't Republican or Democratic. Neither is the electric bill. Healthcare costs aren't partisan. Neither are jobs, infrastructure, housing costs or whether your children can afford to build their lives here.' He points to his experience leading medical societies and balancing business budgets.
— Michael Goldstein, to Connecticut Public and the CT Mirror
Arguments against
Republicans need 'a new type of leadership' rather than the party-endorsed establishment: the Fairfield County GOP is 'either nonexistent, incompetent or apathetic', focused on older homeowners instead of young voters struggling with housing and debt — 'I love Reagan as much as the next person, but we're stuck in 1986.' (Goldstein rejected the implication that his age limits him on those issues.)
— Daniel Miressi, Republican primary opponent, to the CT Mirror
What we couldn’t verify
No general-election criticism of Goldstein by Himes's campaign could be found; Himes's campaign declined to comment on the GOP primary.
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 Jim Himes, endorsed at the May 11 convention (challenger Joseph Perez-Caputo was eliminated there), and Republican Michael Goldstein, the party-endorsed candidate, who beat Daniel Miressi in the August 11 primary. Several other candidates could not be confirmed for the November ballot: Perez-Caputo filed to run as an independent; small-business owner Damon Cerreta is listed as an independent by Ballotpedia but as a write-in by Politics1; and Politics1 lists Ben Wesley, the 2024 Independent Party nominee, whose campaign site describes a 2026 Independent Party candidacy. The district covers southwestern Connecticut, including Bridgeport, Stamford and Greenwich. Himes won 61.1% in 2024; a Republican last won the district in 2006.
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.