It has been nearly two decades since Connecticut last elected a Republican to Congress. On Tuesday, Republican George Logan is aiming to change that narrative as he faces off against incumbent U.S. Representative Jahana Hayes, a Democrat who narrowly bested him in the previous election by a mere fraction of a percentage point.
This matchup is drawing significant attention in the state, especially as voters will also be casting ballots for state legislators, a U.S. Senate position, and the next presidential race. Hayes previously edged out Logan in 2022, winning by just 2,004 votes. This time, she aims to gain added momentum from Vice President Kamala Harris’s presence on the ballot, which she believes will increase voter enthusiasm.
“There’s a palpable increase in excitement since Harris joined the ticket,” Hayes noted, making history as Connecticut’s first Black woman in Congress. “Our campaign headquarters have seen a surge in volunteers — especially women stepping up to assist with phone banking and canvassing.”
Logan, who has a background in mechanical engineering and previously served in the state Senate, currently holds a role as a community relations director for a public water supply company. He presents himself as a Republican not beholden to the national party structure. He emphasizes his personal narrative — as the Afro-Latino son of Guatemalan immigrants, a victory for him would mean becoming Connecticut’s first Hispanic member of Congress.
“I’m convinced Washington is in dire need of repair, and I want to contribute to that solution,” Logan stated following a debate with Hayes. “I’m committed to working across party lines.”
This election takes place within a district where President Joe Biden secured an 11-point victory over former President Donald Trump in 2020. Logan has indicated he would vote for Trump but has strategically navigated his campaign to remain somewhat distanced from Trump’s policies and the broader MAGA movement. He asserts a commitment to addressing local issues ahead of the contentious presidential race, describing himself as an “independent voice” who is willing to collaborate with whatever candidate emerges victorious.
The campaign largely mirrors the dynamics of the previous election cycle, with Logan reusing some of his older advertising. He criticizes Hayes for aligning with what he terms the “failed Biden-Harris administration” 99% of the time and emphasizes economic concerns. Conversely, Hayes has accused him of endangering reproductive rights and aligning himself with extreme factions within the Republican Party, a claim Logan disputes by affirming his support for abortion rights.
Connecticut has not been particularly hospitable for Republicans in recent years, with the last Republican House representative, Chris Shays, losing his seat in 2008. Meanwhile, other Democratic incumbents are also vying for reelection, such as U.S. Representative Joe Courtney in the eastern region, who is up against former Republican state Representative Mike France in a rematch after winning decisively by 18 points in their last encounter.
In the Senate race, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy seeks a third term against Republican Matt Corey, who portrays himself as a fervent supporter of Trump. Murphy had a significant win over Corey in their last competition in 2018.
The last Republican to serve as senator from Connecticut, Lowell Weicker, lost his seat in 1988 and left the party soon after. Additionally, voters are also tasked with reelecting all state legislators. Currently, Democrats hold a two-thirds majority in the state Senate but barely fall short in the House of Representatives. If they can gain three additional seats in the House while maintaining their Senate seats, they will secure the supermajority needed to override gubernatorial vetoes.