In a national presidential race defined by ultra-tight margins for the White House, many of the downticket races in Connecticut were heavily weighted toward the incumbents.
U.S. Senate
Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy won a third term representing Connecticut in the U.S. Senate on Tuesday. Murphy defeated Republican small business owner Matt Corey in a repeat of their matchup in the 2018 election.
Loading...
Murphy thanked his supporters Tuesday night.
"I have seen the possibility of democracy. I have seen our work, our collective work, be able to change people's lives," Murphy said. "It's why I asked the people of the state of Connecticut for a third term in the United States Senate. And tonight, I am so, so grateful to this state that means so much to me, so much to our family, for giving me the chance to continue to represent Connecticut in the United States Senate."
On the campaign trail, Murphy touted his record — including his efforts on gun safety — and spoke of this year's election having huge stakes.
Connecticut hasn't elected a Republican to the Senate since Lowell Weicker won in 1982. The Associated Press declared Murphy the winner as polls closed at 8 p.m.
District 1
U.S. Rep. John Larson, a Democrat first elected to Congress in 1998, defeated Republican Jim Griffin and Green Party candidate Mary Sanders to earn a 14th term. Griffin was endorsed by Republicans without opposition in May.
Loading...
Larson represents a heavily Democratic district that includes Hartford, the state capital. Larson has been in Congress since 1999. He billed himself this election as a champion for working-class families and someone fighting to protect Social Security.
The Associated Press declared Larson the winner at 12:17 a.m. EST.
District 2
U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, a Democrat who has represented the district since 2007, declared victory late Tuesday night over Republican challenger Mike France, a former U.S. navy officer and Connecticut state representative who waged an unsuccessful campaign against Courtney in 2022.
The Associated Press called the race for Courtney at 11:55 p.m.
Loading...
In a statement Courtney said France "graciously" congratulated him "on a hard fought victory." Courtney said he thanked France for his service to the nation and that he looked forward to heading back to Congress to continue working for eastern Connecticut.
District 3
Democratic Rep. Rosa DeLauro won reelection to a U.S. House seat representing Connecticut on Wednesday. DeLauro won an 18th term by defeating Republican Michael Massey, a convenience store owner who became a supporter of former President Donald Trump while serving nine years in prison for an armed bank robbery.
Loading...
DeLauro spoke to supporters at a watch party in New Haven Tuesday night. She touted her work on the pandemic-era monthly expanded child tax credit. The program has since sunset, but DeLauro hopes to see it become permanent.
“This can be a flagship issue to unit both parities going forward," DeLauro said.
DeLauro is the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee. Her campaign has focused on abortion rights, a permanent child tax credit and funding for higher education. She has represented a district that includes New Haven since 1991. The Associated Press declared DeLauro the winner at 1:31 a.m. EST.
District 4
Democratic Rep. Jim Himes won reelection to a U.S. House seat representing Connecticut on Wednesday. The win earned Himes a ninth term representing a district that includes the coastal cities of Bridgeport, Norwalk and Stamford. Himes is the top Democrat on the House intelligence committee.
Loading...
He defeated Dr. Michael Goldstein, an ophthalmologist and attorney who campaigned on reducing health care costs, securing the nation's borders and fighting antisemitism. The Associated Press declared Himes the winner at 12:59 a.m. EST.
District 5
U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes, the first Black woman to represent Connecticut in Congress, defeated Republican George Logan in a rematch. The Associated Press declared Hayes the winner at 2 a.m. Wednesday.
Loading...
Over 120 supporters from the 5th Congressional District showed up to incumbent Hayes’ election night watch party in her hometown of Waterbury Tuesday night.
Hayes joined shortly before midnight to thank supporters.
"For continuing to trust me with your vote, which fundamentally is just your most precious right. And you are trusting me to be your voice for that vote," Hayes said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
