U.S. Reps. Jahana Hayes has won a second term, fending off a challenge from David X. Sullivan, a former federal prosecutor.
The first-term Democratic congresswoman and former national Teacher of the Year, contracted COVID-19 in September and said her family’s experience with the virus helped her see firsthand the shortcomings of the national response, including a lack of available testing.
US. Rep. Jahana Hayes said in a news conference Wednesday that she was happy that she secured her seat in the Fifth District after challenger David Sullivan conceded defeat.
Hayes said she wanted every vote to be counted in the race. AP has since called the race, officially.
During the campaign, Sullivan, portrayed Hayes as being out-of-touch politically with the district in northwest Connecticut.
Sullivan issued a statement Wednesday congratulating Jahana Hayes and says he is disappointed in the election results.
"I am immensely grateful to the many, many people across the 5th District who supported my campaign for Congress. I was proud to be an advocate for Republican principles and ensure our voters continue to be heard. While I am personally disappointed in the outcome of the election last night, I respect the results and offer my congratulations to Congresswoman Jahana Hayes. There are many challenges ahead for our state and nation, and we should all work together, in a spirit of cooperation, to resolve the issues before us. I will not lead that effort on behalf of the 5th District, but I will lend support to assist the process in any way I can, and encourage everyone to do the same. We always do best when all voices are heard and included."
Jahana Hayes, a Democrat, was elected to Congress in 2018 and is serving her first term.
Hayes waged a successful primary campaign two years ago and won against the party endorsed candidate to replace Elizabeth Esty. She attended Naugatuck Valley Community College, Southern Connecticut State University, University of Saint Joseph and the University of Bridgeport. She was a teacher in Waterbury schools and was named National Teacher of the Year in 2016. She is the first African American Congresswoman from Connecticut. She has focused on agriculture, health care and veterans. She is married to a Waterbury Police detective and has four children
She currently serves on the Committee on Education and the Workforce and the Committee on Agriculture.
Sullivan was born in Danbury, and grew up in New Fairfield. He went to Catholic University and Quinnipiac university, and is married with five children.
Sullivan was endorsed by 12 local and state police unions or groups.
His top issues included law enforcement, education, and healthcare.
You will also find the latest results on the FOX61 Elections page on Election Night.