CT 5th Congressional District: Hayes Vs. Logan

CONNECTICUT — The 5th Congressional District race in Connecticut is heating up as incumbent Jahana Hayes and Republican George Logan face off in what has become a competitive race.

Politico recently changed its 5th district forecast to a toss-up. FiveThirtyEight said Hayes is favored to win. Both sides of the political aisle have poured millions of dollars into the race.

Jahana Hayes (Democratic, Working Families)

Jahana Hayes is running for a third term after first being elected in 2018. She is a Waterbury native and former teacher in the city who won the National Teacher of the Year award in 2016.

She sits on the House of Representatives committees for education, labor and agriculture.

Hayes has fought against attempts to limit abortion access and voted to codify abortion rights into law. Vice President Kamala Harris recently visited Connecticut and spoke with Hayes at a roundtable discussion.

She is in favor of expanding early childhood education, raising teacher salaries and fully funding the Individual with Disabilities Education Act, which funds 40 percent of special education costs for school districts.

George Logan (Republican, Independent)

Logan grew up in New Haven and is the son of Guatemalan immigrants. He is currently the director of community relations for the Aquarion Water Company. In his free time, he is a guitarist for a Jimi Hendrix cover band and has played at dozens of Connecticut venues. He is married to Lisa Logan and has two adult children.

Previously, he served as state senator for the 17th district and said he was particularly proud of helping pass the bipartisan state budget, which implemented the volatility cap, spending cap and bonding cap. The rules have helped fill the state’s rainy day coffers.

Logan said he is running to be a check on President Joe Biden’s administration.

“One Party rule in Connecticut and Washington has led to record high inflation and energy costs, an increase in crime, a historic crisis at our southern border, which in turn has led to a fentanyl crisis, worsening test scores for our students, and a foreign affairs disaster,” he said in a Patch candidate profile.

He is a believer in school choice and thinks there needs to be more emphasis on trade and manufacturing education in the country.

“There is a shortage of young, skilled workers in the trades and manufacturing industry. These are jobs that offer competitive salaries, great benefits, and the opportunity to grow in their role,” he said.