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Connecticut Republicans Face Long Odds in Primaries for Competitive Districts
Confirmed
In Short: In one of the country's most competitive districts, four Connecticut Republicans are fighting for nominations in the 4th and 5th Congressional Districts, despite long odds in November’s general election.
The 4th Congressional District covers the southwestern corner of Connecticut, while the sprawling 5th District is mostly in Northwestern Connecticut.
Both districts are considered solidly blue, with Democrats holding all five congressional seats in the state.
President Donald Trump lost both districts in his past three races, but by a smaller margin in the 5th District.
Republican candidates are supportive of Trump’s agenda, with varying backgrounds and campaign styles.
Ronald Miressi, one of the Republican candidates, said, “Why I got into this whole mess to begin with was the Republican Party, especially in Fairfield County, overall in Connecticut, is either nonexistent, incompetent or apathetic.”
Miressi argued that the party is more focused on older voters who are already homeowners and not on younger voters who are struggling to buy homes, pay off student loans, and afford groceries.
Another candidate, Goldstein, cited concerns over Democratic policy proposals like “Medicare for All,” arguing that health care needs more competition and choice.
The primary winners will spend money on get-out-the-vote efforts to boost early and absentee voting, which “helps the entire ticket,” according to Ben Proto, the state GOP chairman.
Despite the long odds, Republicans are hoping to capitalize on voter dissatisfaction and the polarized political climate.
The candidates have “very different styles of campaigning,” according to Proto.
The fight for which party will control Congress is focusing on these competitive districts, where Democrats currently hold all seats.
What's confirmed
- The 4th Congressional District covers the southwestern corner of Connecticut, while the sprawling 5th District is mostly in Northwestern Connecticut.
- Both districts are considered solidly blue, with Democrats holding all five congressional seats in the state.
- President Donald Trump lost both districts in his past three races, but by a smaller margin in the 5th District.
- Republican candidates are supportive of Trump’s agenda, with varying backgrounds and campaign styles.
- Miressi argued that the party is more focused on older voters who are already homeowners and not on younger voters who are struggling to buy homes, pay off student loans, and afford groceries.
- Another candidate, Goldstein, cited concerns over Democratic policy proposals like “Medicare for All,” arguing that health care needs more competition and choice.
- The primary winners will spend money on get-out-the-vote efforts to boost early and absentee voting, which “helps the entire ticket,” according to Ben Proto, the state GOP chairman.
- Despite the long odds, Republicans are hoping to capitalize on voter dissatisfaction and the polarized political climate.
- The candidates have “very different styles of campaigning,” according to Proto.
- The fight for which party will control Congress is focusing on these competitive districts, where Democrats currently hold all seats.
What's still developing
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- Hoskins, a Republican, said Tuesday that he would keep using the congressional districts redrawn last year, despite a U.S. Supreme Court decision that left standing a state Supreme Court order requiring Missouri to use its old districts instead.
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