CT 4th Congressional District Race: What You Need To Know

CONNECTICUT — Election Day is upon us, and there are a number of key races on the ballot this year, including the one for Connecticut's 4th Congressional District.

Incumbent Democrat Jim Himes, Republican challenger Dr. Michael Goldstein, and Independent candidate Benjamin Wesley are all vying for the 4th Congressional District, which encompasses 17 towns in southwestern Connecticut: Bridgeport; Darien; Easton; Fairfield; Greenwich; Monroe; New Canaan; Norwalk; Oxford; Redding; Ridgefield; Shelton; Stamford; Trumbull; Weston; Westport; and Wilton.

Jim Himes, Democrat

Himes, 58, is seeking a ninth term in office. He serves as Ranking Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and on the House Financial Services Committee.
Born in Lima, Peru, Himes moved to the U.S. at the age of 10 and later graduated from Harvard University. He started his professional career at Goldman Sachs, and later transitioned to nonprofit work.

A Greenwich resident, Himes was previously a commissioner of the Greenwich Housing Authority and a member of the town's Board of Estimate and Taxation.

In his Patch candidate profile, Himes said he's running for re-election because "effective government policy can transform lives, lay the foundation for a booming economy and protect the vulnerable."

"Our nation’s commitment to the rule of law, freedom, education and infrastructure are a big part of why we have an economy that is the envy of the world," Himes added. "When government fails, people suffer. When we fail to abide by our values, the world notices and becomes a more dangerous place."

Himes touted his support for the Affordable Care Act, PACT Act, Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, CHIPS and Science Act, and investing in infrastructure and combating climate change.

"I have a strong record of public service, a commitment to abide by the law, an unconditional belief that women should make their own health care choices, and a strong desire to keep Donald Trump out of the Oval Office. My opponent has none of those things," Himes said.

Himes has comfortably won each of his re-election bids.

Michael Goldstein, Republican

Goldstein, 74, who is also a Greenwich resident, defeated party-nominated Bob MacGuffie in an August primary to get the chance to face Himes in November.

A board-certified physician and ophthalmologist for over 40 years, Goldstein is also a lawyer. He first entered politics in 2020 and ran for the GOP nomination to unseat Himes in 2022, but he lost the primary race that year to former Darien First Selectman Jayme Stevenson.

In a campaign video about his platform, Goldstein said he's focused on solving problems.

"Among the problems we're talking about: reducing health care costs, securing our border, restoring our economy and our energy and our independence, protecting parental rights and individual freedom and fighting antisemitism, and finally, building our infrastructure so we can get around and enjoy our lives," Goldstein said.

"We need to restore sanity to our government. We need a government that actually works for people, where politicians are really concerned about representing their constituents, rather than advancing their career," Goldstein added.

On his campaign website, Goldstein said he will "stand up to antisemitism and the woke agenda and always put America first."

"He believes that with the right leadership, Connecticut can recover from its decade long downturn. This requires a change in leadership and political philosophy to reform many industries," Goldstein's campaign website says.

Goldstein has served on many medical boards over the years, but his 2023 nomination to serve on the Board of the Nathaniel Witherell, the Greenwich-owned nursing home facility, was rejected after opponents cited his views on vaccine mandates.

Goldstein said at the time that while he's generally opposed to vaccine mandates, he supports them in a nursing home setting.

Benjamin Wesley, Independent

Wesley, 45, has been a Norwalk resident for 12 years, according to his campaign website. He's worked in Stratford for 15 years as a manufacturing mechanical engineer.

Wesley said he's running as "the peace candidate."

"I have decided to run for office because I am deeply concerned and alarmed by the genocide in Gaza, and the threats of wider war — including possible use of nuclear weapons — in both the Middle East and the Ukraine-Russa conflict," Wesley says on his campaign website.

Wesley said he helped organize a large Gaza ceasefire rally at the Norwalk Town Green, and participated in several events around the state calling for peace in the Middle East. He also said he helped organize a signature-petition "to end the American war funding in Gaza and Ukraine."

"I'm looking forward to bringing a message of peace and development to my fellow man. This includes affordable housing, improved schools, health care for all, new infrastructure, and more social services for Congressional District 4," Wesley added.

Wesley is a registered Democrat, CT Insider reported, but he's unhappy with the direction of the party.

Election Day is Nov. 5. Early voting in Connecticut begins Oct. 21.

Voting Details

Early voting in Connecticut began Oct. 21 and concluded on Nov. 3.

Polls in Connecticut are open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. You can use the Secretary of State’s website to find your polling place.

Voters who are in line by 8 p.m. will be allowed to vote.

Connecticut also allows for Election Day registration at designated centers in each town. People must be registered by 8 p.m. in order to vote using Election Day registration.