Democratic U.S. Representative Jahana Hayes of Connecticut has defended her seat against Republican challenger David Sullivan in the state’s 5th Congressional District, according to the Associated Press. The AP also declared Democratic Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro the victor over Republican challenger Margaret Streicker in CT-3.
Hayes declared victory after her Republican challenger David X. Sullivan called her to concede. She says she had been waiting for all the votes to be counted.
“I would not have even come out now but for the fact that Mr. Sullivan had conceded,” she said.
Hayes is the state’s only Black member of Congress. She had tested positive for COVID-19 during the campaign and had to be quarantined for two weeks. She’s grateful that voters in her diverse district endorsed her for a second term.
“And I really want to continue to be a strong representative for this district. I spent a lot of time listening to people learning about this district and I know that my second term will be even stronger than the first one because I am committed to be being everybody’s Congressperson," Hayes said.
She represents Northwestern Connecticut, which President Trump won in 2016.
Democratic U.S. Representative Joe Courtney has beaten his Republican challenger, Justin Andrerson, in CT-2, according to the Associated Press.
Courtney won his eighth term representing the state’s largest district in eastern Connecticut, before absentee ballots were finished counting. He says although the full election results are still not in, there’s bipartisan work to be done.
“Really need to get a COVID relief Bill, and I heard that yesterday at the polling places. A Republican, whom my office helped get some Cares Act assistance, you know was very grateful for the help, but he needs more just in terms of his business and he’s not alone,” Courtney said.
Anderson emerged as the Republican candidate after his opponent dropped out following a domestic violence arrest the night before the primary election. Anderson says he’s likely to run again.
The AP says Democratic Congressman John Larson fended off Republican challenger Mary Fay in CT-1. Democratic Congressman Jim Himes has been declared the victor over the GOP’s Jonathan Riddle in CT-4.
