HARTFORD - U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney has fended off three challengers to win a sixth term representing eastern Connecticut.
The Democrat from Vernon has represented the 2nd Congressional District since 2007. He bested Republican Daria Novak, Green Party candidate Jonathan Pelto and Libertarian Daniel Reale on Tuesday.
During the campaign, Courtney touted his efforts to boost production of Virginia-class fast attack submarines at the Electric Boat shipyard in Groton from one to two per year. His supporters have since nicknamed the House Armed Services Committee member "Two Sub Joe."
Courtney also noted his efforts to work with Republicans, including U.S. Sen. John McCain, to introduce legislation to help veterans and active duty military work as public school teachers.
Meanwhile, veteran U.S. Rep. John Larson has also won re-election to a 10th term in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The Democrat on Tuesday fended off challenges from Republican Matt Corey and Green Party candidate Mike DeRosa.
Larson was heavily favored to win the race for the seat in the district located in a heavily Democratic part of Connecticut. He touted proposals such as expanding national service opportunities for students in exchange for forgiving college debt and requiring universal background checks for guns sales.
Larson said he's also working to bring more jobs to places such as Hartford's North End. Corey challenged him on that, questioning whether voters are any better off than they were 18 years ago when Larson was first elected.
Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Jim Himes has been re-elected to a fourth term in the House.
The Democrat on Tuesday defeated Republican state Rep. John Shaban of Redding, an attorney who's served in the Connecticut General Assembly since 2011.
The 50-year-old Himes is a former Goldman Sachs & Co. banker from Greenwich. He touted his efforts to create financial regulatory reform, help improve the economy and support more funding to improve roads, bridges and rail lines.
Shaban questioned Himes' effectiveness in Congress, including his unsuccessful efforts to pass gun control legislation. Shaban called Himes' participation in a sit-in over gun legislation "useless histrionics." Himes has said symbolic actions will prompt real change.
The Himes campaign had $2.29 million cash on hand on Oct. 19 compared to Shaban's $23,823.
And U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro is returning to the House for a 14th term.
The Democrat from New Haven on Tuesday defeated Angel Cadena Jr., a Marine Corps veteran and truck driver from Shelton.
DeLauro said during the campaign she's fighting to help families struggling financially. She called for making college more affordable and increasing the minimum wage. She also advocated creation of a national infrastructure bank, which she says would take politics out of the process for funding projects.
Cadena's campaign was unable to afford yard signs and touted his underdog status. Cadena said on his Facebook page he was on a quest "to break through the glass ceiling that has defined the limitations of individual liberty."
Rep. Elizabeth Esty was the final seat called on election night. Her Republican challenger Clay Cope conceded just before 11 p.m.
The Democrat on Tuesday defeated three-term Sherman First Selectman Clay Cope, a Republican. This will be her third House term.
Gun control was an issue that often divided the candidates in the 5th Congressional District, which includes Newtown. While Esty has pushed for background checks and other gun control measures, Cope has been skeptical about the need for additional laws.
Esty, who lives in Cheshire, said Cope is "woefully ill-informed" about gun violence and the victims who have died since the 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
Esty raised far more money for her campaign than her opponent. As of Oct. 19, she had $1 million cash on hand compared to Cope's $23,546.
