WATERBURY, Conn. — It was a fiery debate Wednesday night between the two candidates vying for the 5th congressional district seat: Incumbent Democrat Rep. Jahana Hayes and Republican George Logan.
Emotions were running high before the two candidates even took the stage, with hundreds of demonstrators lobbying for each candidate counter-protesting outside the Naugatuck Valley Community College.
Connecticut's 5th congressional district is one of the most expensive in the state and also hosts a contentious and close race for the U.S. House.
Hayes is once again up against Logan following Logan's defeat in 2022.
“I hope we can, once and for all, send Mr. Logan back to wherever he came from,” said Hayes during her closing remarks.
“You see clearly the nastiness that comes out from my opponent,” Logan countered.
Hayes has held this seat for the last five years and was the first Black woman ever to represent Connecticut in Congress.
“I want this district where I live, where I worship, I want it to be one where everyone can prosper,” said Hayes during the debate.
Logan, originally from New Haven, is a first-generation son of immigrants from Guatemala and the first Black Republican elected to the State Senate.
“My parents came over from Guatemala for a better education, better opportunities,” Logan said. “I don’t want that dream to end with me.”
Both candidates went hard after one another's platforms, focusing on hot-button issues like the economy, crime and immigration. Hayes spent time on her record discussing the Affordable Care Act, funding for SNAP benefits, expanding WIC, and helping Connecticut’s farmers.
Hayes has co-sponsored more than 2,100 pieces of legislation in Congress and introduced around 80 of them, and legislative records were a big sticking point for the candidates.
Logan says he wants to push for business-friendly policies and cut “bloated government programs," he said.
Another big topic on Wednesday was foreign relations between the United States and other countries. At one point, when asked about funding for international conflicts like the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, a demonstrator interrupted the debate.
Hayes then went on to answer the question, saying she supported aid to Israel but also that she was "the only person on this stage who has acknowledged the suffering of the Palestinian people." She went on to say that Palestinians have "a reason and a right to be passionate about this issue."
Logan also answered the question, saying, "Israel has a right to defend itself. War is terrible. I believe in a two-state solution."
In 2022, Logan lost the race by less than a percentage point, and it's expected to be that close once more in November. This race is one of the ones that can have big stakes when it comes to the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives.
---
MORE ELECTION NEWS
---
Emma Wulfhorst is a political reporter for FOX61 News. She can be reached at ewulfhorst@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.
