Who's running in Connecticut's 5th 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 · Jahana Hayes 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.
Addressing the affordability crisis and reversing health care cuts.
Ending 'endless wars'.
Passing the PRO Act to protect workers' right to organise, and restoring labor law enforcement.
Delivering on promises to labor if Democrats regain the majority.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Representative for Connecticut's 5th District since January 2019; reelected with 53.4% in 2024.
2016 National Teacher of the Year; former history teacher at John F. Kennedy High School in Waterbury.
Endorsed at the 2026 Democratic convention; no primary.
Endorsed by NEA, EMILYs List, Giffords, League of Conservation Voters and Planned Parenthood Action Fund, per Wikipedia.
Arguments in favor
'The people of the Fifth District are looking for leaders to address the affordability crisis, cuts to healthcare, endless wars we are engaged in and so many other things.' Shea's attacks 'are the same attacks that have been tried, and were rejected by the voters and failed.'
— Jahana Hayes, statement to Connecticut Public
Arguments against
'Our current representative has chosen a different path — consistently siding with the most extreme voices in Washington and backing policies that drive up energy costs, undermine public safety, and leave working families like mine paying the price.'
— Chris Shea, Republican opponent, campaign announcement reported by CT News Junkie
What we couldn’t verify
Whether debates with Shea will be held had not been reported.
Public safety and stronger immigration enforcement and border security.
Supports President Trump's tax cuts and many of his policies, while saying he is 'not running to be Trump'.
Opposes transgender women's participation in women's sports.
'Service, accountability, and common-sense leadership.'
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Retired US Navy SEAL (joined 1991), deployed to Sarajevo, Afghanistan and Mexico, per his campaign; later worked with Congress at the Pentagon.
North Haven firefighter; founder of the nonprofit Hero to Hero.
Won the August 11, 2026 Republican primary with about 80% over Jonathan De Barros.
Endorsed by Reps. Eli Crane and Ryan Zinke, former Rep. Rob Simmons and state Senate Minority Leader Stephen Harding, per Wikipedia.
Had raised about $311,000 in 2026 and had about $145,000 on hand as of early August, per CT Mirror.
In the primary he argued Jonathan De Barros's pardoned 1996 killing should weigh with voters ('I have a record of service, he has a record of serving'); De Barros called it 'a low blow'.
Arguments in favor
'I have a record of service' — more than 30 years as a Navy SEAL and firefighter — and 'I'm not running to be Trump'; the western part of the state 'deserves different representation than Jahana Hayes,' and as a district native he can reach unaffiliated voters.
— Chris Shea, to the CT Mirror and Connecticut Public
Arguments against
'These things have been tried before, and they haven't worked. It feels like a recycled version of the campaign that was run the last two cycles.' Shea's attacks 'are the same attacks that have been tried, and were rejected by the voters and failed.'
— Rep. Jahana Hayes, Democratic opponent, to the CT Mirror and Connecticut Public
What we couldn’t verify
Whether debates with Hayes will be held had not been reported.
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 Jahana Hayes, endorsed at the May 11 convention (Winter Solomita and filmmaker Jackson Taddeo-Waite were eliminated there), and Republican Chris Shea, the party-endorsed candidate, who beat Jonathan De Barros with about 80% in the August 11 primary. Taddeo-Waite filed paperwork to run as an independent; whether he qualified for the ballot could not be confirmed. The district covers northwestern and west-central Connecticut, including all of Litchfield County, Danbury and Waterbury. Hayes won 53.4% in 2024; it is considered Connecticut's most competitive district, and a Republican last won it in 2004.
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.