CT Patch Candidate Profile: Jim Himes For 4th Congressional District

GREENWICH, CT — The 2024 election is fast-approaching in Connecticut and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

U.S. Rep. Jim Himes is running for re-election against Republican challenger and fellow Greenwich resident Dr. Michael Goldstein in the 4th Congressional District, which covers 17 towns and cities in Southwest Connecticut.

Leading up to the election, Connecticut Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and issues that are facing the state.

Candidate’s Name

Jim Himes

What office are you seeking?

U.S. Congress

District

4th Congressional District

What city or town do you live in?

Cos Cob

Party affiliation

Democrat

Education

I was a public school kid before attending Harvard University, where I captained the lightweight crew team. I won a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford University, where I obtained a master’s degree in Latin American studies. From there, I launched my career at Goldman Sachs & Co., focusing on work in Latin American markets and high technology. After 12 years in the private sector, I transitioned into nonprofit work, leading the New York City branch of the Enterprise Foundation, an organization dedicated to alleviating urban poverty by financing affordable housing. In 2008, I was elected to Congress, where I continue to serve the people of Connecticut’s Fourth District. I am a runner, reader, shell fisherman, and beekeeper.

Occupation

Congressman, CT-04

Family

Mary and I raised our two daughters, Emma and Linley, in Cos Cob. Emma works in business in Boston and Linley is finishing her last year in college and training for a marathon. Both are fierce women.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Previous public office, appointive or elective:

Before Congress, I was a commissioner of the Greenwich Housing Authority and a member of the Board of Estimate and Taxation.

Age

58

Why are you seeking this office?

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. When government fails, people suffer. When we fail to abide by our values, the world notices and becomes a more dangerous place.

What do you believe is the No. 1 issue facing Connecticut, and how do you plan to address it?

I've always been focused on building an economy that works for everyone by making healthcare and education more available and housing more affordable.

There have been an alarming number of deaths on Connecticut's roadways. Is there anything from a legislative standpoint that can be done to address that?

One way we’re working on this at the federal level is through the Safe Streets and Roads for All program - prioritizing safer road designs, better lighting, and enhanced pedestrian-friendly areas. By investing in infrastructure we can create safer environments for everyone —drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike. Additionally, more accessible public transit options can help reduce traffic, further lowering accident risks. I will continue to advocate for infrastructure solutions that directly improve the safety and quality of our roads.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

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

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Since my first term I’ve been proud to deliver meaningful results for my constituents including the Affordable Care Act which provided healthcare to millions of Americans, the PACT Act which helped keep a promise to our veterans who were exposed to toxic burn pits, we passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to help keep guns out of the wrong hands, and the CHIPS and Science Act to boost American manufacturing, lowered prescription drug prices and capped the cost of insulin to $35, made the biggest investment in climate change ever, and the biggest investment in infrastructure in more than 50 years.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I was in the chamber of the House of Representatives when it was attacked on January 6, 2021. That attack was not an accident. It was provoked by a broken man who could not accept his own defeat and by people who believed a lie so fervently that they were willing to commit brutal violence. Our democracy will survive only if leaders act civilly and with humility and if citizens re-engage with each other as fellow Americans, not as enemies. I am dedicated to keeping this historic experiment in democracy alive.