Connecticut's five members of the U.S. House of Representatives, Rosa DeLauro, John Larson, Joe Courtney, Elizabeth Esty and Jim Himes, all Democrats, won re-election on Tuesday.
Fourth District
In the 4th district, incumbent Democrat Jim Himes was re-elected to a fifth term in the U.S. House. He faced off against Republican State Representative John Shaban.
Himes ran on a platform of investment in Connecticut infrastructure. He also supported accessible education and the long-term growth of renewable energy. He credited his victory on having understood the needs of his constituents in southwestern Connecticut.
"This is an area that demands really independent and thoughtful representation. There is a long history of my predecessors being that way. And I think though I'm a Democrat, a lot of Republicans say this is a guy though I may not agree with him on most things, but he listens to me. I think that's what most people are looking for," Himes said.
Shaban emphasized a repeal or complete overhaul of the Affordable Care Act. He also challenged the Trans-Pacific Partnership, for which Himes voted yes. Shaban blamed his loss on voter disaffection with Donald Trump within the district.
Connecticut’s southwestern 4th District includes the cities of Bridgeport, Norwalk and Stamford.
Fifth District
Democrat Elizabeth Esty declared victory over her Republican challenger, Clay Cope, an openly gay first selectman of Sherman. She was re-elected after a tight race on Tuesday night.
Esty touted her efforts to support college affordability and clean energy technology. She also highlighted her work to pass gun reform and marriage equality.
Cope said he would lower federal spending and taxes, repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act and protect the Second Amendment.
Gary Rose, chair of the political science department at Sacred Heart University, said the race between Esty and Cope was closer than expected due to Trump's popularity in northwestern Connecticut.
Third District
Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro won a 14th term in the U.S. House in Connecticut’s 3rd District.
DeLauro defeated Republican Angel Cadena Jr., a Chicago native and Marine Corps veteran.
DeLauro was first elected to the U.S. House 26 years ago. She represents the 3rd Congressional District, which includes the cities of New Haven and Middletown.
DeLauro emphasized her support for the Affordable Care Act, as well as her efforts towards equal pay for women and women’s health.
Second District
Democrat U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney won re-election in the 2nd District.
Courtney was first elected in 2006 in the 2nd Congressional District. He emphasized his work to increase Navy submarine production, which has boosted business in Groton and New London.
Republican challenger Daria Novak ran on a platform that included tax cuts across the board and strengthened military forces.
Courtney was also challenged by Green Party candidate Jonathan Pelto and Libertarian Party candidate Daniel Reale.
First District
In the state’s heavily Democratic 1st District in central Connecticut, Democrat John Larson was re-elected to a tenth term in the U.S. House. Larson defeated Republican Matthew Corey, who also challenged Larson in the 2014 race.
Larson is known as a strong advocate of defense contractor Pratt & Whitney and for his advocacy of infrastructure improvements. He’s also an advocate for fuel cells, an alternative energy that has deep Connecticut roots.
Corey is Navy veteran and business owner in Manchester. He called for lowering cooperate tax rates and energy independence through renewable energy, as well as clean coal, clean oil and natural gas.